A lead-acid battery typically contains six cells. Each cell in a lead-acid battery produces about 2 volts, so when connected in series, they provide a total voltage of 12 volts, which is common for many applications such as automotive batteries and backup power systems.
Here's a bit more detail about how it works:
1. **Cell Construction**: Each cell in a lead-acid battery is made up of a positive plate and a negative plate, separated by an electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid and water. The plates are usually composed of lead and lead oxide.
2. **Voltage and Capacity**: Each cell generates about 2 volts due to the chemical reactions between the lead plates and the sulfuric acid. When these cells are connected in series, their voltages add up. Therefore, six cells in series result in a total of 12 volts (6 cells Γ 2 volts per cell).
3. **Applications**: This 12-volt configuration is standard for many automotive batteries, as well as in various stationary applications such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and solar energy storage systems.
If you have any more questions or need further details on how lead-acid batteries work, feel free to ask!