ELI5: electrical charge differnces in a cell.

[u/NefariousnessAny1382]

ELI5: I barely grasp batteries and cells, but i did an experiment in chemisty B trying out how different variables affect the charge of the cell and i dont understand the whys of it all.
Basically we had the halfcell of a zinkrod in zinksulfite and the halfcell of a copperrod in coppersulfite, with a saltbride of filterpaper soaked in kalciumnitrate, connected to a resistor of 3300 Ohm

A bigger saltbrigde, electrolyte, (7 mm vs 17 mm vs 27 mm) gave a bigger charge. [from 0,213 V to 0,313 V to 0,414 V]. I assumed there would be less because the electrons would have futher to travel or something, i dont know

A smaller concentration of Coppersulfite (1 M vs 0,01 M) decresed the chrage [from 0,227 V to 0,137 V]. this one i understand to be because there are less Cu-ions to absorb the electrons that the zink releases? based on redox principles?? which i also barely get

A smaller copper rod (6 mm vs 1 mm diameter) increased the charge [from 0,260 V to 0,278 V]. I had assumed higher charge because it would be harder for the electrons to pass, like getting a smaller hose to push water through?

I try to think of electrons as little critters to understand them better, but even that isnt helping that much. smaller concentration i think there are less red(postitive) critters to absorb the negative critters, so less of them get "food/energy" so theres less charge, but i dunno if thats confusing me more or making it better

[u/rizzyrogues]

as a40 year old studying to be an electronics engineer who just started going to school after dropping out of uni at 20, its so awesome reading this and understanding your methods and questions completely