The dry electric cell

• About 1.5 V is produced in a dry cell
• This voltage falls as the voltage falls as the cell goes “flat” as the chemicals are used up
• A dry cell is an adaptation of the simple cell
• It is also known as a primary cell because the chemicals withing the cell are used up
• Primary cells cannot be recharged as the chemical reactions which generate current are not reversible
• The most common dry cells use:
• zinc as the negative electrode and
• carbon as the positive electrode
• Ammonium chloride in paste form is used as the electrolyte
• Powdered carbon and manganese oxide are placed around the positive electrode to depolarise the cell
• Dry cells are used to power low power consuming items such as torches and transistor radios
• They are gradually falling out of favor giving way to rechargeable
• Nickel-cadmium types as well as other recyclable materials
• That can be recharged and last longer

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.