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But if the cells oppose one another, such as when one is put into an appliance backward, the total emf is less, since it is the algebraic sum of the individual emfs.

A battery is a multiple connection of voltaic cells, as shown in [link] . The disadvantage of series connections of cells is that their internal resistances add. One of the authors once owned a 1957 MGA that had two 6-V batteries in series, rather than a single 12-V battery. This arrangement produced a large internal resistance that caused him many problems in starting the engine.

This diagram shows two typical batteries in series, with the positive terminal of the first touching the negative terminal of the second. The schematic diagram of the electric current flowing through them is shown as current I passing through the series of two cells of e m f script E sub one and internal resistance r sub one and e m f script E sub two and internal resistance r sub two.
A series connection of two voltage sources. The emfs (each labeled with a script E) and internal resistances add, giving a total emf of emf 1 + emf 2 size 12{"emf" rSub { size 8{1} } +"emf" rSub { size 8{2} } } {} and a total internal resistance of r 1 + r 2 size 12{r rSub { size 8{1} } +r rSub { size 8{2} } } {} .
The left side of the diagram shows a battery that contains a combination of a large number of cells. The right side shows a set of cells combined in series to form a battery.
Batteries are multiple connections of individual cells, as shown in this modern rendition of an old print. Single cells, such as AA or C cells, are commonly called batteries, although this is technically incorrect.

If the series connection of two voltage sources is made into a complete circuit with the emfs in opposition, then a current of magnitude I = emf 1 emf 2 r 1 + r 2 size 12{I= { { left ("emf" rSub { size 8{1} } - "emf" rSub { size 8{2} } right )} over {r rSub { size 8{1} } +r rSub { size 8{2} } } } } {} flows. See [link] , for example, which shows a circuit exactly analogous to the battery charger discussed above. If two voltage sources in series with emfs in the same sense are connected to a load R load size 12{R rSub { size 8{"load"} } } {} , as in [link] , then I = emf 1 + emf 2 r 1 + r 2 + R load size 12{I= { { left ("emf" rSub { size 8{1} } - "emf" rSub { size 8{2} } right )} over {r rSub { size 8{1} } +r rSub { size 8{2} } +R rSub { size 8{"load"} } } } } {} flows.

The diagram shows a closed circuit containing series connection of two cells of e m f script E sub one and internal resistance r sub one and e m f script E sub two and internal resistance r sub two. The positive end of E sub one is connected to the positive end of E sub two.
These two voltage sources are connected in series with their emfs in opposition. Current flows in the direction of the greater emf and is limited to I = emf 1 emf 2 r 1 + r 2 size 12{I= { { left ("emf" rSub { size 8{1} } - "emf" rSub { size 8{2} } right )} over {r rSub { size 8{1} } +r rSub { size 8{2} } } } } {} by the sum of the internal resistances. (Note that each emf is represented by script E in the figure.) A battery charger connected to a battery is an example of such a connection. The charger must have a larger emf than the battery to reverse current through it.
Part a shows a flashlight glowing when connected to two cells joined in series with the positive end of one cell connected to the negative end of the other. Part b shows the schematic circuit for part a. There is a series combination of two cells of e m f script E sub one and internal resistance r sub one and e m f script E sub two and internal resistance r sub two connected to a load resistor R sub load.
This schematic represents a flashlight with two cells (voltage sources) and a single bulb (load resistance) in series. The current that flows is I = emf 1 + emf 2 r 1 + r 2 + R load size 12{I= { { left ("emf" rSub { size 8{1} } - "emf" rSub { size 8{2} } right )} over {r rSub { size 8{1} } +r rSub { size 8{2} } +R rSub { size 8{"load"} } } } } {} . (Note that each emf is represented by script E in the figure.)

Take-home experiment: flashlight batteries

Find a flashlight that uses several batteries and find new and old batteries. Based on the discussions in this module, predict the brightness of the flashlight when different combinations of batteries are used. Do your predictions match what you observe? Now place new batteries in the flashlight and leave the flashlight switched on for several hours. Is the flashlight still quite bright? Do the same with the old batteries. Is the flashlight as bright when left on for the same length of time with old and new batteries? What does this say for the case when you are limited in the number of available new batteries?

[link] shows two voltage sources with identical emfs in parallel and connected to a load resistance. In this simple case, the total emf is the same as the individual emfs. But the total internal resistance is reduced, since the internal resistances are in parallel. The parallel connection thus can produce a larger current.

Practice Key Terms 4

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Source:  OpenStax, College physics. OpenStax CNX. Jul 27, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11406/1.9
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