SCEN103 9/19 Group Exercise

Consider the different battery packages that are commonly available: AAA, AA, C, or D. Does the data on battery characteristics support the following hypothesis:
The energy content of a battery is proportional to its volume.

Please support your discussion with calculation and graph.

Refer to battery data. Given diameter (D=2R) and length (L) of cylindrical battery:
Volume of cylinder is pi * R^2 * L

Results:

Cell Type Length Diameter Volume Vol. rel. Energy Energy rel.

(calc.) to AAA content to AAA

(in.) (in.) (cu. in.) (mA-hr)

D 2.2 1.3 2.9 14 8000 13

C 1.8 1.0 1.4 6.7 3000 5.0

AA 1.9 0.55 0.45 2.1 1400 2.3

AAA 1.7 0.40 0.21 -- 600 --

Cell Type	Length	Diameter	Volume	Vol. rel.	Energy	Energy rel.
			(calc.)	to AAA	content	to AAA
	(in.)	(in.)	(cu. in.)		(mA-hr)
D	2.2	1.3	2.9	14	8000	13
C	1.8	1.0	1.4	6.7	3000	5.0
AA	1.9	0.55	0.45	2.1	1400	2.3
AAA	1.7	0.40	0.21	--	600	--

Refer to graph of above data to see if hypothesis is supported.

Refer to graph of battery characteristics relative to AAA cell for continued dicussion.

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Last updated Sept. 22, 1996.
Copyright George Watson, Univ. of Delaware, 1996.