ClassAdapt
Rechargeable and Non-rechargeable Cells
Charging only works if the reactions can run backwards
Accessibility
Interactive lab
Compare the cells
Sort them
Inside the cell
Nothing loaded
Not tested yet
Reactants left
—
turning into ↓
Products made
Put a cell in the holder.
Result
—
Got it
What will the charger do?
Switch it on
Cells challenge
Next
Back to the bench
Four cells side by side
Every cell runs down. Only some can be filled back up.
Non-rechargeable cells
The reactions stop when one of the reactants is used up.
The reactions cannot be reversed, so the cell is finished.
Cheap to buy. Thrown away or recycled after one use.
Alkaline and zinc–carbon cells work this way.
Rechargeable cells
The reactions stop in the same way when the cell runs down.
An external electric current reverses the reactions, so the reactants are made again.
Cost more to buy, but can be used hundreds of times.
Lithium-ion and nickel–metal hydride cells work this way.
Two or more cells joined in series make a battery. The voltages add up, so two 1.5 V cells give 3.0 V.
Which ones can be charged again?
Drag each card into a box. Or tap a card, then tap a box.
Can be recharged
the reactions reverse
Cannot be recharged
the reactions are one way
Check
Show answer
Start again
Cells challenge
Start again
Accessibility — Adapt
Close
Theme
Dark navy theme
Colour overlay (Irlen)
Off
Display
Reading ruler
Wider spacing (dyslexia)
Text size
Smaller
100%
Bigger
High contrast
Classroom / projector mode
Inside-the-cell panel
Shows the charge, and the reactants turning into products, down the side of the screen.
Outline the objects
Draws a dark edge round each cell so it stands out from the bench behind it.
Show the moving charge
Dots travelling round the circuit. Turn off if the movement is distracting.
Procedure
Two places in the holder
Adds a second place, so two cells can be joined in series to make a battery. One place keeps it simpler.
Ask me to predict
Asks what the charger will do at the moment it is switched on, not before.
Show the chemistry detail
Adds the names of the chemicals inside the cell to the result card.
Buttons only
Adds a button for every cell, so nothing has to be dragged in the 3D scene.
Show the answer button
On the sorting task. Turn it off so pupils commit to an answer first.
Motion & colour vision
Reduce motion
Slow animation
Auto-rotate camera
Protanopia
Deuteranopia