The energy stored in a battery is primarily **electrical energy**. Here’s a breakdown of how this works:
### 1. **Chemical Energy Storage**
- **Inside the Battery:** Batteries store energy chemically. They contain materials (electrodes and electrolytes) that undergo chemical reactions to store and release energy.
- **Energy Conversion:** When a battery is charged, electrical energy is used to drive these chemical reactions, causing the battery materials to store energy. When the battery discharges, these reactions reverse, releasing electrical energy.
### 2. **Electrical Energy Output**
- **When in Use:** The stored chemical energy is converted back into electrical energy when the battery powers a device. This electrical energy flows through an external circuit, providing power to electronic devices.
### Key Points:
- **Types of Batteries:** Different types of batteries (e.g., lithium-ion, lead-acid, alkaline) have different materials and chemical processes, but the fundamental principle of storing energy chemically and converting it to electrical energy remains the same.
- **Efficiency:** The efficiency of this conversion can vary based on battery technology, with some batteries having higher energy densities and longer lifespans.
In summary, while the battery stores energy chemically, the usable energy that it provides to devices is electrical.