True or False: You can figure out the number of cells a battery has by dividing the voltage of the battery by the volts.

True or False: You can figure out the number of cells a battery has by dividing the voltage of the battery by the volts.

• A. False
• B. Cannot determine
• C. Not relevant
• D. True

Answer: (D)

Cells in series add their voltages, so the total battery voltage equals the number of cells in series times the voltage per cell. If you know the chemistry and use the nominal voltage per cell, dividing the battery’s voltage by that per-cell value gives the number of cells stacked in series. For example, a battery around 7.4 V with cells about 3.7 V each is two cells in series. Keep in mind the exact per-cell voltage varies with chemistry and state of charge, and batteries can also have parallel groups that don’t change the voltage. So this division is a valid way to estimate how many cells are in series, which is why the statement is true.

Cells in series add their voltages, so the total battery voltage equals the number of cells in series times the voltage per cell. If you know the chemistry and use the nominal voltage per cell, dividing the battery’s voltage by that per-cell value gives the number of cells stacked in series. For example, a battery around 7.4 V with cells about 3.7 V each is two cells in series. Keep in mind the exact per-cell voltage varies with chemistry and state of charge, and batteries can also have parallel groups that don’t change the voltage. So this division is a valid way to estimate how many cells are in series, which is why the statement is true.