How is a battery formed from electrochemical cells?

A battery is formed by connecting electrochemical cells in series, which enhances the overall voltage output of the battery. In this configuration, the positive terminal of one cell is connected to the negative terminal of the next cell. This arrangement allows the electrical potential from each cell to add together, resulting in a higher cumulative voltage that can power devices more effectively than a single cell alone.

The reason this configuration is preferred is that most devices require a specific voltage to operate, and many electrochemical cells, such as dry cells or alkaline batteries, provide a relatively low voltage per cell. Connecting them in series ensures that the total voltage meets the requirements of the device being powered.

Connecting cells in parallel can increase the battery's capacity in terms of current, allowing it to run longer, but does not increase the voltage. Random connections do not provide a reliable voltage or functionality, while only using one cell limits output to the voltage of that single cell, which may not be sufficient for many applications. Therefore, connecting cells in series is the correct method to form a functional battery with increased voltage.