The voltage is the amount of energy that each cell can produce, while the capacity is how long it can sustain that energy output. To find out how many cells are in a battery, divide the voltage by the capacity. For example, if a battery has a voltage of 12 and a capacity of 3, there would be 4 cells in that battery.
The higher the current, the more work it can do at the same voltage. Power = voltage x current. The higher the power, the quicker the rate at which a battery can do work—this relationship shows how voltage and current are both important for working out what a battery is suitable for.
To find out how many cells are in a battery, divide the voltage by the capacity. For example, if a battery has a voltage of 12 and a capacity of 3, there would be 4 cells in that battery.
Voltage is a measure of energy per unit charge and is measured in volts. In a battery, voltage determines how strongly electrons are pushed through a circuit, much like pressure determines how strongly water is pushed through a hose. Most AAA, AA, C and D batteries are around 1.5 volts.
Each chemistry has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. In general, most household items like flashlights and remote controls use AA or AAA batteries which have 1.5 volts and three or four cells respectively. Car batteries have 12 volts and usually have six cells.
The higher the power, the quicker the rate at which a battery can do work—this relationship shows how voltage and current are both important for working out what a battery is suitable for. Capacity = the power of the battery as a function of time, which is used to describe the length of time a battery will be able to power a device.