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The car's initial source of electricity is a battery, whose most
important function is to start the engine. Once the engine is
running, an alternator takes over to supply the car's electrical
needs and to restore energy to the battery.
A 12-volt storage battery consists of layers of positively and
negatively charged lead plates that, together with their insulated
separators, make up each of six two-volt cells. The cells are filled
with an electricity-conducting liquid (electrolyte) that is usually
two-thirds distilled water and one-third sulfuric acid. Spaces
between the immersed plates provide the most exposure to the
electrolyte. The interaction of the plates and the electrolyte
produces chemical energy that becomes electricity when a circuit is
formed between the negative and positive battery terminals.
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