How much power comes from a Battery?

Summary

Who Smarted? – "How much power comes from a Battery?"

Date: March 9, 2026
Host: Adam Tex Davis
Guests/Characters: Ever Eddie (disposable battery), Lilith Lithium (rechargeable battery)

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Who Smarted?" dives into the fascinating world of batteries. The host and a cast of humorous battery characters explore what batteries are, how they work, why they die, the differences between disposable and rechargeable batteries, the surprising history of battery technology, and even how to make a simple battery at home. The signature playful tone, puns, and fun facts are woven throughout, making science approachable and entertaining for kids and families.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Life" and "Death" of a Battery

• The episode opens with a mock-eulogy for a dead battery named "Alky," then pivots into explaining the battery's journey and purpose.
  • [00:13] "For today, we mourn the death of a battery…But this is no tragedy. This battery lived a full life." — Host

2. What is a Battery and How Does it Work?

• Chemical Reactions Power Batteries:
  • [03:40] "The answer is B, chemical reactions inside a battery generate electricity…"
• Anatomy of a Battery:
  • Three main parts: anode (negative), cathode (positive), electrolyte (paste or liquid).
  • [03:50] Eddie: "There are three main parts to a battery. Two metals or chemical compounds called the anode and the cathode, and a paste or liquid called the electrolyte."
• Terminals and Flow of Electricity:
  • [04:11] Host: "And the two metal parts, the anode and the cathode, are connected to terminals that have specific markings..."
  • Terminals are marked + and -; electricity (electrons) flows from the negative (anode) to the positive (cathode) terminal.
  • [04:32] Eddie: "The anode is connected to the part marked minus, which is called the negative terminal. The part marked with a plus is the positive terminal…"
  • [05:31] Eddie: "And the electrolyte chemical works with both the negative and positive terminals. Reactions between the electrolyte and the anode at the negative terminal loosen a whole bunch of electrons, and those electrons want to get to protons at the end of the battery with the plus side…"
  • Electricity only flows when there’s a path (e.g., flipping a switch connects the circuit).

3. Why do Batteries Die?

• Disposable/Alkaline Batteries:
  • Eventually, the electrons all reach the positive terminal and are "used up," so the flow stops.
  • [06:27] Host: "With disposable alkaline batteries, the kind you buy at the store, the flow of electrons eventually stops and the battery is said to be dead."
• Notable Battery Death Explanations:
  • [07:17] Eddie: "And we say goodbye to our dear departed battery."

4. Disposable vs. Rechargeable Batteries

• Introduction of Lilith Lithium (Rechargeable Battery):
  • [07:40] Lilith: "The name's Lilith Lithium. I'm what you call a rechargeable battery. I'm no one timer like these disposables."
• How Recharging Works:
  • Rechargeables (like those in smartphones or laptops) use lithium and a different chemistry that allows the reaction to go both ways.
  • [08:48] Lilith: "They have an electrolyte called an alkaline substance ... Batteries like me ... are made with a substance called lithium, which can be repowered when I'm plugged in. All those chemical reactions that happen when you use a battery, they go in reverse."
• Limitations of Rechargeables:
  • Over time, even rechargeable batteries wear out; they can only be recharged a certain number of times before "dying."
  • [14:49] Host: "While the batteries in smartphones and computers today have long lifespans ... the metals in the battery develop imperfections and start to go bad. Recharging becomes more difficult until eventually those batteries also die and need to be recycled."
  • [15:10] Eddie: "All good things must come to an end. Even you, Lilith. Huh?"

5. The History of Batteries

• Baghdad Batteries:
  • Some of the earliest battery-like devices date back 2,200 years in Iraq, but their purpose was likely ceremonial or medicinal.
  • [12:45] Eddie: "But those jars didn't power devices like modern batteries. They were probably used for religious ceremonies or as medicine."
• Modern Battery Origins:
  • The first true battery was invented by Alessandro Volta around 1800 — now remembered in the term “voltage.”
  • [12:53] Host: "Italian scientist Alessandro Volta introduced the first battery in 1800, and today, the term describing the electrical force coming from a battery is named after him."

6. Making Your Own Battery

• Potato Battery Experiment:
  • You can create a simple battery at home using a potato, a galvanized (zinc) nail, a copper coin, and wires.
  • [14:11] Host: "Yep. The acids in a potato will chemically react with the zinc and copper, allowing for the movement of electrons, creating electric power like a battery."
• Limitations of Food Batteries:
  • They’re weak and non-rechargeable ("you'll end up cooking it like a French fry!" — [14:31] Lilith).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Eddie, on Battery Bonds:
  • [00:41] Eddie: "His name was Alky. Al for short. He was the best. If I could grade his personality, I'd give it an A. No, a double A."
• Lilith Lithium’s Attitude Toward Disposables:
  • [07:23] Lilith: "What's with you guys getting all mushy over a battery? When you're done with them, you toss them and get a new one. No."
• Battery Recharging:
  • [08:46] Lilith: "Batteries like me, which you find in smartphones and computers, are made with a substance called lithium, which can be repowered when I'm plugged in. All those chemical reactions that happen when you use a battery, they go in reverse."
• On the End of Batteries:
  • [15:17] Lilith: "Well, I certainly don't get a charge out of that. But now that I'm fully juiced, I'm ready to power that video game back to life."

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Important Timestamps

• 00:01–02:28: Introduction, mock-eulogy for "Alky" the battery, meet Eddie (Ever Eddie).
• 03:40: How batteries actually work (chemical reactions).
• 04:11–06:27: Anatomy of a battery; explanation of electron flow from negative to positive terminals.
• 07:23–08:46: Introduction of Lilith Lithium the rechargeable battery; explanation of recharging.
• 12:45–13:24: Battery history from the Baghdad batteries to Alessandro Volta.
• 13:53–14:14: DIY potato battery explanation.
• 14:49–15:17: The eventual "death" of rechargeable batteries.

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Tone & Style

Playfully educational, with puns, character voices, and interactive questions that directly address young listeners ("Smarty pants"). The explanations distill complex chemistry and history into fun, memorable, kid-friendly lessons.

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Summary Table: Types of Batteries

| Type | Key Materials | Rechargeable? | Everyday Uses | |------------------|-----------------|--------------|---------------------------------| | Alkaline | Zinc & Manganese| No | Toys, remotes, flashlights | | Lithium-ion | Lithium, Cobalt | Yes | Phones, laptops, electric cars | | Potato Battery | Food acid, Metals| No | Science experiments |

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In a Nutshell

This episode answers how much power comes from a battery by exploring the science, engineering, history, and fun trivia of batteries. By personifying disposables (“Eddie”) and rechargeables (“Lilith”), the show clarifies not just "how batteries work" but also why they die, how (and how many times) they can be recharged, and even how you can make your very own simple battery at home. With clever jokes, interactive questions, and memorable metaphors (like electrons wanting to “dance” to the positive side), the episode makes the world of batteries accessible, memorable, and fun.

Transcript

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

And now it's time for who's Smarted? Psst. Hey, smarty pants. As you can tell from the somber music, today marks a sad occasion. For today, we mourn the death of a battery.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

No.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

But this is no tragedy. This battery lived a full life and its life to the fullest. You could say it was quite energetic. It started off protecting a home in a fire alarm. Then it switched jobs, powering the remote control for a beloved toy race car. It spent its final days bringing light to the world in a small flashlight.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

Why?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Excuse me. I assume you knew the deceased.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

Yes, we shared the same package. His name was Alky. Al for short. He was the best. If I could grade his personality, I'd give it an A. No, a double A.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

He was important to you?

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

Oh, absolutely. He was irreplaceable.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Actually, batteries are quite replaceable. Billions of them are made each year. And charging a battery is usually as simple as popping out the old one and putting in a new one.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

What are you saying?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

But of course, Al was special.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

Oh, yeah. Al had a certain spark. The type you could take anywhere.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Which is the whole point of batteries. They allow you to travel with electric power. Smartypants, there's a great chance you're listening to this episode of who's Smarted On a Device Using a Battery right now. And when it's near the holidays, lots of gifts require batteries, even if they're not included.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

No.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

But while batteries play a huge part in your life, do you know how batteries work? Or how you can make one? And why some batteries die?

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

No.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

While others might live forever?

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

What?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Now it's time for another whiff of science and history on who Smarted. Who Smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun, but who's smart? Ed, Smartypants, we're gathered here today to mourn a dead battery. I'm joined by. I don't believe I caught your name.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

It's Eddie. Short for Ever Eddie.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Oh, as in Ever Eddy, the Global Battery Company, inventor of the Electric Flyer Flashlight and Energizer batteries.

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

They keep going and going.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

Yeah, but you can just call me Eddie, like Alky did before he.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Why, Eddie, we all feel your pain, Smarty pants. I'm sure you two have been saddened by dead batteries. One minute you're playing your favorite video game when suddenly the controller runs out of juice. But rather than be upset by a battery's sudden death, let's celebrate its life by asking, how did power get there in the first place? As you may remember from our who Smarted? Episode on electricity, your home and other buildings receive electric power from massive generators at power plants, which you connect to by plugging something in with a wire. But batteries are not connected to power plants. So how do they provide electricity? Is it A, from internal sponges that were electrified by a power plant, B, through chemical reactions inside the battery, or C from tiny hamsters on tiny hamster wheels running inside the battery? The answer is B, chemical reactions inside a battery generate electricity, just like human

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

bodies have chemical reactions inside them creating electricity. Batteries like Al and me make power using chemicals inside us. There are three main parts to a battery. Two metals or chemical compounds called the anode and the cathode, and a paste or liquid called the electrolyte.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

And the two metal parts, the anode and the cathode, are connected to terminals that have specific markings that you can see on a battery. Smartypants. Do you know what those markings are? Is it A, a happy and sad face? B. The letters A and B, or C, the symbols plus and minus? If you said C plus and minus, nice job.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

Look for those the next time you use a battery. The anode is connected to the part marked minus, which is called the negative terminal. The part marked with a plus is the positive terminal, which is connected to the cathode. Do you know which end of the battery electricity flows out of?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Smartypants, you may recall electricity is the movement of super tiny negatively charged particles called electrons, which come from super tiny particles called atoms. These electrons are attracted to super tiny positively charged particles called protons. This attraction creates all kinds of natural energy from the electricity in your body to. To the power in your home to lightning in a thunderstorm. Same with batteries. So, keeping that in mind, what end of the battery do you suppose the negatively charged electrons come from? You said the end marked with the minus, the negative terminal. You're right.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

And the electrolyte chemical works with both the negative and positive terminals. Reactions between the electrolyte and the anode at the negative terminal loosen a whole

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

bunch of electrons, and those electrons want to get to protons at the end of the battery. With the plus side, the positive terminal. You'd think they could do that inside the battery, but they can't because there's a barrier. Only way to get to the positive terminal is outside the battery.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

But electrons won't move without a direct path to the protons, such as a wire in electric devices like a flashlight. The wire from the negative terminal to the Positive terminal is broken until you turn the device on. Doing so connects the two ends of the battery, and electrons flow out of the negative terminal down the path to the positive terminal.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

And anything connected to that electric flow, such as a flashlight bulb, a smartphone, or a portable video game, springs to life until you turn the device off or the battery dies. With disposable alkaline batteries, the kind you buy at the store, the flow of electrons eventually stops and the battery is said to be dead. Smarty pants. Any guesses why is it, A, the battery has fallen asleep, B, the electrons have disappeared, or C, the electrons have a new home at the positive terminal? The answer is C. The electrons don't disappear, but after traveling from the negative terminal to the positive terminal, they stay there, forming new chemical products that slow and eventually stop the flow of electrons.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

And we say goodbye to our dear departed battery.

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

Yeah, yeah, been there, done that. What's with you guys getting all mushy over a battery? When you're done with them, you toss them and get a new one. No.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Uh, excuse me. Who are you?

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

The name's Lilith Lithium. I'm what you call a rechargeable battery. I'm no one timer like these disposables.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Lilith Lithium.

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

That's right. Try saying that three times fast.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Lilith Lithium. Lilith Lithium. Lilith Lithium. Oh, never mind. You say you're rechargeable?

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

Sure am. And whoa, I'm only at 6%. Give me that coffee maker.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

You recharge with coffee?

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

No, I'm not.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

You.

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

In the morning. That coffee maker is hogging the electrical outlet. I'll just unplug this and plug myself in. Ah, much better.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

You get electricity from the wall.

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

That's right. Rechargeable batteries like me have different chemicals and metals than you disposables, but we work pretty much the same way. The disposable batteries, called alkaline batteries. You know, the double and triple A C's and D's you buy at the stores? Like the recently deceased?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

No.

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

They have an electrolyte called an alkaline substance, and in most cases, you can't recharge it. Batteries like me, which you find in smartphones and computers, are made with a substance called lithium, which can be repowered when I'm plugged in. All those chemical reactions that happen when you use a battery, they go in reverse. Electrons shoot out of the cathode at the positive terminal and head back to the anode at the negative terminal. After a full recharge, all the electrons are where they belong. And I'M as good as new Smarty

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

pants, Is that true? Does recharging a smartphone or computer battery make it as good as new? The answer is

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

no. What?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Sorry Lilith, I'm happy to explain and tell you how to make your own battery right after this quick break. Spring is here and if you're a homeschool family trying to finish the year strong, I want to tell you about ixl. It's the award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into your homeschool routine covering math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. What I love most about IXL is how it adapts to each child's pace. Whether your kid needs to reinforce foundational skills before an assessment or push ahead into new material, IXL meets them exactly where they are. With no pressure and real encouragement built right in. Kids earn rewards, see their own progress, and actually feel good about learning. And for parents, the real time progress tracking is a game changer. You always know exactly where your child stands. Plus, it makes learning fun. And you know I love that. Over 15 million students use IXL and it's proven to improve achievement in all 50 states. So make an impact on your child's learning. Whosmarted listeners get an exclusive 20% off at ixl.com smarted that's iexcel.com/smarted for your 20% off. As the trusty narrator, I've taken the smarty pants on countless adventures. I'll do anything for the fans, but off mic I prefer to keep my adventures in the safe space of my own backyard. However, even a homebody like me can't avoid the unexpected chaos that comes with family life. Take last week, for example. My niece was staying with me when she came down with a nasty cold in the middle of the night. I couldn't leave her alone to get medicine. And that's when I remembered Doordash is there for you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it. With a few taps on my phone, I had cough syrup and tissues delivered right to my door. Doordash saved the night and my niece was back to her energetic self in no time. Oh, and did I order a little ice cream for myself. Yes, I did. And doordash brought it right to my door. So while I may not be the biggest fan of real life adventures, I'm grateful that doordash is always there to help me navigate life's little emergencies. When life happens, get a little order delivered with DoorDash order now. Now back to who'ssmarted Smartypants. Now that you know how batteries work. How old do you think battery technology is? Is it 23 years old? Around 220 years old, or around 2,200 years old? If you guessed 220, you're right. But if you guessed 2200, you also get credit. Archaeologists found 2200-year-old clay jars in Baghdad, Iraq, that contained both iron and copper. They believe people filled these jars with wine vinegar or citric acid to create an electric charge. They've since called these jars Baghdad batteries.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

But those jars didn't power devices like modern batteries. They were probably used for religious ceremonies or as medicine.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

True, the roots of the modern battery go back only around 220 years. Italian scientist Alessandro Volta introduced the first battery in 1800, and today, the term describing the electrical force coming from a battery is named after him. Do you know what it's called, smarty pants? If you said voltage, you are electrifying. Alessandro's Volta's batteries had cathodes and anodes, often in the form of zinc and copper, and an electrolyte, which was a cloth soaked in salt water.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

A lot of disposable batteries like me still use zinc as an anode.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Galvanized nails, like the kind used for outdoor construction projects, are coated with zinc to protect them from rust. Volta used copper as a cathode. Smartypants, can you think of something that contains copper? Did you say coins such as pennies? Great job. But did you know, with a copper coin and a galvanized nail, you can make your own battery?

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

Hold on, wise guy. You ain't gonna make a battery with just those two. You still need an electrolyte. True.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

And for that, you can use food. Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, smarty pants. What's the main ingredient for french fries or chips? That's right. A potato.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

You can make a battery with a potato?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Yep. The acids in a potato will chemically react with the zinc and copper, allowing for the movement of electrons, creating electric power like a battery. Of course, you'll need some wires to make it happen. With an adult's help, search for potato batteries online to get specific instructions and try to make your own.

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

Hang on. Potato batteries are nowhere near as powerful as me. And there's no way you're recharging a potato. You'll end up cooking it like a French fry. But you can charge and recharge me forever?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Uh, not quite, no. While the batteries in smartphones and computers today have long lifespans, as they recharge over and over and over again, the metals in the battery develop imperfections and start to go bad. Recharging becomes more difficult until eventually those batteries also die and need to be recycled.

[Eddie (Ever Eddie, the disposable battery)]

All good things must come to an end. Even you, Lilith. Huh?

[Lilith Lithium (the rechargeable battery)]

Well, I certainly don't get a charge out of that. But now that I'm fully juiced, I'm ready to power that video game back to life.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Oh, boy, you're gonna upset Eddie again. Eddie. Eddie. Oh, it looks like he's a goner too. Rest in power, my friend. A fully charged shout out to Colin and Case in Longville, Louisiana. I hear you love listening to who Smarted in the car and that you always learn something new. Well, that's exactly what I want to hear. Thanks for smarting on the go, guys. This episode Batteries was written by Dave Batteries not included Beaudry and voiced by Jason Megawatt Williams, Charlotte Fully Charged cone and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh High Capacity Han. Who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room studios. Our associate producer is Max. Can I borrow your charger, Kamasky? The theme song is by Brian D. Sell Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Double A Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam, Tex Davis and Jerry Colber. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production. Who Smarted.