Primary and secondary cells their properties and drawback
Primary Cell
Primary cells are those that cannot be recharged and needs to be discarded after the expiration of their lifetime. If the electrolyte is not in liquid form, we are talking about dry cells.
Primary cells usually have high energy density, capacity, are slowly to discharge, easy to use and not excessively expensive. Alkaline are probably most commonly used primary batteries. They usually have zinc anode, carbon cathode and electrolyte. The voltage curve for discharging alkaline batteries is very steep (almost linear.
When the battery empties, its voltage drops almost linearly. Such cells are therefore not suitable for digital cameras, as they require relatively high voltage for their operation. Alkaline battery is therefore showed as “empty” after a few hours of using it, although in reality it isn’t. Read more: Difference Between Primary Cell and Secondary Cell | Difference.
Most of the primary cells are comfortable, always available and environmentally friendly. They also have extremely high energy density.
Only in recent years, the rechargeable cells have reached the density of primary cells, but conventional alkaline batteries produce almost 50% more energy than a comparable Li-Ion secondary cell.
These cells continuously charge and supply all kinds of devices, from basic, all known devices to specialized devices and applications. Primary cells are most commonly used in wristwatches, remote controls, children’s toys and non-demanding entertainment electronics. They are also used wherever the charging is impractical or impossible, in cases of military and rescue techniques, in difficult to access control stations, and the like.
Because of low prices, they are especially suitable where the power requirements are not very high, where the devices do not require a high level of energy for their operation, and need just a constant voltage.
Primary cell
Secondary Cell
With the rise of portable devices such as laptops, smartphones or MP3 players, there is a growing demand for good batteries that we will not have to change every couple of days. And here we come to the need of rechargeable (secondary) cells.
The principle of their work is actually the same – electricity is generated through a Chemical Reaction involving anode, cathodes and electrolytes, but the difference is in the chemical composition of the cells contained in the batteries.
Here we have the case that the chemical reaction is reversible. When the battery “consumes” (or when the negatively charged ions go to the positive side of the battery), the battery is charged. By connecting a secondary cell to an external source of electrical power (e.g., electricity), the opposite process occurs – the negatively charged ions return to the negative side of the battery and can be used again.
The most commonly used secondary batteries on the market are: lithium-ion (LiOn), nickel-Metal hydride (NiMH), and nickel-cadmium (NiCd). When talking about secondary batteries, we must say that they are not all equal. NiCd (nickel cadmium) were the first secondary batteries that were used everywhere in the world, but they had one small problem – “memory effect”.
The memory effect means that you have to refill and empty them every time, otherwise they will lose their capacity quickly. This has led to a situation where people are switching to Nickel–metal hydride (NiMH). They had somewhat greater capacity and did not “suffer” from the memory effect, but their lifespan was short – you could fill them up and empty them around 100 times.
And finally, the most popular LiOn batteries are used today, which have proved to be the best variant. Perhaps their capacity is somewhat smaller, but the technology of making them is simpler than the ones previously mentioned, they are smaller, easier and have a cycle of 1000 charging and discharging.
Leclanche cell
Leclanche cell is a primary cell, handy for sporadic use, with positive anode of zinc encompassed by a mixture of manganese dioxide and powdered carbon in a pot, which is porous. The pot and the negative zinc terminal remained in a container holding ammonium chloride solution. The electromotive force (emf) is nearly 1 -4 volt.
Going back to its history, the Leclanche cell was invented by the French engineer Georges Leclanche in 1866. Leclanche’s battery, additionally called a zinc-carbon battery, made use of an alternate type of cell than its antecedents. Rather than lead, the French engineer utilized zinc and a carbon-manganese dioxide mixture for his terminals. He additionally made use of ammonium chloride instead of the sulfuric acid that had been used as the preferred electrolyte. The changes he made to his battery made the cell less dangerous and lighter than the most commonly used Plante model.
Types of Leclanche’s cell include: zinc (Carbon cathode)
zinc chloride (Ammonium chloride electrolyte reinstated by zinc chloride)
alkaline manganese (Ammonium chloride terminal displaced by potassium hydroxide)
The process which generates power in a Leclanché cell starts when zinc particles on the surface of the anode oxidize, i.e. when zinc atoms surrender their valence electrons to end up becoming the positively charged particles. The zinc particles move far from the anode while leaving their electrons on its surface that makes the anode more negatively charged than the cathode. At the point when the cell is associated in an outer electrical circuit, the excess electrons on the zinc anode gush through the circuit to the cathode made up of carbon. This flow of electrons frames the electric current.
After going through the entire circuit, when electrons enter the carbon rod, which is the cathode, they join together with water and MNO2 (Manganese Dioxide) that further reacts with each other to produce negatively charged hydroxide ions and manganese oxide(Mn2O3). Whole of this process is accompanied by secondary reaction, wherein the negative hydroxide ions react with positive ammonium ions in the electrolyte of ammonium chloride to produce Molecules of water and ammonia.
A battery is a device that stores energy in an electrochemical form and releases it as electrical energy when connected to an external circuit. Batteries are used in a wide variety of applications, including portable electronics, electric vehicles, and backup power systems.
There are two main types of batteries: primary batteries and secondary batteries. Primary batteries cannot be recharged, while secondary batteries can be recharged multiple times.
Primary batteries
Primary batteries are also known as dry cells or voltaic cells. They are the most common type of battery and are used in a variety of applications, including flashlights, toys, and hearing aids.
The most common type of primary battery is the zinc-carbon cell. Zinc-carbon cells are inexpensive and have a long shelf life. However, zinc-carbon cells have a low capacity and a short life.
Other types of primary cells include alkaline cells, lithium cells, and mercury cells. Alkaline cells are more expensive than zinc-carbon cells, but they have a higher capacity and a longer life. Lithium cells are the most expensive type of primary cell, but they have the highest capacity and the longest life. Mercury cells are no longer manufactured because they contain mercury, which is a toxic substance.
Secondary batteries
Secondary batteries are also known as storage batteries. They are used in a variety of applications, including automobiles, power tools, and cell phones.
The most common type of secondary battery is the lead-acid battery. Lead-acid batteries are inexpensive and have a long life. However, lead-acid batteries have a low capacity and a short life.
Other types of secondary cells include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. Nickel-cadmium batteries are more expensive than lead-acid batteries, but they have a higher capacity and a longer life. Nickel-metal hydride batteries are more expensive than nickel-cadmium batteries, but they have a higher capacity and a longer life. Lithium-ion batteries are the most expensive type of secondary cell, but they have the highest capacity and the longest life.
Battery safety
Batteries should always be used and stored safely. It is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using any battery. Some general safety tips include:
Do not mix different types of batteries together.
Do not mix new and old batteries together.
Do not use batteries in devices that are not designed for them.
Do not store batteries in extreme temperatures.
Do not dispose of batteries in fire.
Battery recycling
Batteries should be recycled properly to avoid environmental contamination. Many communities have battery recycling programs. You can also check with your local hardware store or electronics store to see if they offer battery recycling.
Conclusion
Batteries are an essential part of our modern world. They power our devices, our vehicles, and our homes. It is important to understand how batteries work and how to use them safely. By following these simple tips, you can help to ensure that your batteries last as long as possible and that you are using them safely.
Primary Cells
What is a primary cell? A primary cell is a type of electrochemical cell that cannot be recharged. Once the reactants are consumed, the cell is dead and cannot be used again.
What are the different types of primary cells? The most common types of primary cells are the zinc-carbon cell, the alkaline cell, and the mercury cell.
What are the properties of primary cells? Primary cells are relatively inexpensive and have a long shelf life. However, they have a low energy density and cannot be recharged.
What are the drawbacks of primary cells? The main drawback of primary cells is that they cannot be recharged. This means that once the reactants are consumed, the cell is dead and cannot be used again. Additionally, primary cells have a relatively low energy density, which means that they do not store as much energy as other types of cells.
Secondary Cells
What is a secondary cell? A secondary cell is a type of electrochemical cell that can be recharged. This means that the cell can be used multiple times by reversing the chemical reaction that occurs when the cell is discharged.
What are the different types of secondary cells? The most common types of secondary cells are the lead-acid battery, the nickel-cadmium battery, and the lithium-ion battery.
What are the properties of secondary cells? Secondary cells have a high energy density and can be recharged multiple times. However, they are more expensive than primary cells and have a shorter shelf life.
What are the drawbacks of secondary cells? The main drawback of secondary cells is that they are more expensive than primary cells. Additionally, secondary cells have a shorter shelf life than primary cells. This is because the chemical reactions that occur in secondary cells can degrade the materials in the cell over time.
Comparison of Primary and Secondary Cells
| Property | Primary Cell | Secondary Cell | |—|—|—| | Rechargeable | No | Yes | | Energy density | Low | High | | Shelf life | Long | Short | | Cost | Low | High | | Drawbacks | Cannot be recharged, low energy density | More expensive, shorter shelf life |
Question 1
A primary cell is a type of electrochemical cell that cannot be recharged. Which of the following is an example of a primary cell?
Lithium-ion batteries are secondary cells. They are commonly used in devices such as laptops, cell phones, and electric vehicles.
Question 3
Primary cells are typically used in devices that require a small amount of power for a short period of time. Secondary cells are typically used in devices that require a large amount of power for a long period of time. Which of the following devices is most likely to use a primary cell?
(A) A flashlight (B) A laptop (C) A car (D) A cell phone
Answer
(A)
Flashlights are typically used for short periods of time, so they do not require a large amount of power. Primary cells are a good choice for flashlights because they are lightweight and do not need to be recharged.
Question 4
Secondary cells are typically used in devices that require a large amount of power for a long period of time. Which of the following devices is most likely to use a secondary cell?
(A) A laptop (B) A car (C) A cell phone (D) A flashlight
Answer
(B)
Laptops require a large amount of power, and they are typically used for long periods of time. Secondary cells are a good choice for laptops because they can be recharged, so they do not need to be replaced as often as primary cells.
Question 5
Primary cells have a number of advantages over secondary cells. Which of the following is an advantage of primary cells?
(A) They are lightweight and portable. (B) They can be recharged. (C) They have a long lifespan. (D) They are less expensive than secondary cells.
Answer
(A)
Primary cells are lightweight and portable, which makes them a good choice for devices that need to be carried around. Secondary cells are typically heavier and bulkier than primary cells.
Question 6
Secondary cells have a number of advantages over primary cells. Which of the following is an advantage of secondary cells?
(A) They are lightweight and portable. (B) They can be recharged. (C) They have a long lifespan. (D) They are less expensive than primary cells.
Answer
(B)
Secondary cells can be recharged, which means that they do not need to be replaced as often as primary cells. Primary cells cannot be recharged, so they need to be replaced when they run out of power.
Question 7
Primary cells have a number of disadvantages. Which of the following is a disadvantage of primary cells?
(A) They are lightweight and portable. (B) They can be recharged. (C) They have a short lifespan. (D) They are less expensive than secondary cells.
Answer
(C)
Primary cells have a short lifespan. This means that they need to be replaced more often than secondary cells. Secondary cells have a longer lifespan than primary cells.
Question 8
Secondary cells have a number of disadvantages. Which of the following is a disadvantage of secondary cells?
(A) They are lightweight and portable. (B) They can be recharged. (C) They have a long lifespan. (D) They are more expensive than primary cells.
Answer
(D)
Secondary cells are typically more expensive than primary cells. This is because secondary cells can be recharged, while primary cells cannot.
Primary cell