Sources of Electricity

Wet Cell

Car batteries use wet cells. A wet cell contains a liquid chemical, usually a sulfuric acid solution, and metal plates made of lead and lead dioxide that serve as terminals. When a load is attached to the terminals, a chemical reaction between the plates and solution occurs. As a result, electricity flows through the terminals to the load. The sulfuric acid is removed from the solution and bonds with the plates. When the wet cell is recharged, the bond is broken and the sulfuric acid returns to the solution, ready to provide electricity.