Primary cell

A primary cell is a battery that is made to be used one time only. It cannot be recharged. Once all the power is used up, the battery must be thrown away. It no longer makes electricity. Primary cells are often used to give power to small appliances that are used in the home.

The advantages about this kind of disposable battery are:

• it costs less money
• it is easier to make
• it can last longer before being used (shelf life)
• it is easily available to buy

The disadvantages about this kind of disposable batteries are:

• it is making waste when thrown away
• it can be made with toxic materials

Examples

• Alkaline battery
• Leclanche battery
• Lithium battery
• Mercury battery
• Silver oxide battery

Historic primary cells

The following primary cells are only of historical interest. The dry cell is now almost universal.

Name	Positive plate	Negative plate	Electrolyte	Depolarizer	Voltage	Link
Bunsen cell	Carbon	Zinc	Sulphuric acid	Nitric acid	1.9	[1]
Daniell cell	Copper	Zinc	Sulphuric acid	Copper sulphate	1.1	[2]
Grove cell	Platinum	Zinc	Sulphuric acid	Nitric acid	1.9	[3]
Poggendorff cell	Carbon	Zinc	Sulphuric acid	Chromic acid	2.0	[4]

Related pages

• Secondary cell
• Battery
• Table of batteries