What does battery capacity describe in electrochemistry?

Battery capacity refers to the maximum amount of electrical charge that a battery can store, typically measured in ampere-hours (Ah) or milliampere-hours (mAh). This parameter indicates how much energy the battery can deliver during its discharge cycle before it needs to be recharged. A higher capacity implies that the battery can power devices for longer periods or supply higher current loads over the same duration, making it a crucial factor in applications where power availability is critical.

Understanding battery capacity is essential for determining how a battery will perform in real-world applications, as it directly influences device runtime and efficiency. Factors like the chemistry of the battery, size, and design also affect capacity, but the core concept remains centered on the charge that can be stored and utilized by the battery.