Batteries- What
They Are and The Differences
Between Dry Cell
and Alkaline
By: Kelly Rindress
“A battery is a galvanic cell or, more commonly, a group of galvanic cells connected in series, where the potentials of the individual cells add to give the total battery potential.” [1] Basically, a battery is a group of cells that each have energy stored in them and when combined can power an object.
All batteries have two terminals, a negative (-) and a positive one (+). Inside the battery, different chemicals are reacting to produce electrons. These electrons gather at the negative terminal of the battery, flow through the wire and the "load" (i.e. a light bulb, an electric motor, etc.), and then flow back into the battery at the positive terminal. When the electrons re-enter the battery, more chemical reactions will produce more electrons, and the cycle will repeat itself.
The first electrochemical battery was created by Alessandro Volta in 1800.
There are many different types of batteries. In this essay, I’ll explain the differences between two common batteries; dry cell and alkaline.
Dry Cell Battery
The common dry cell battery was invented more than 100 years ago by George Leclanché. The acid dry cell battery contains a zinc inner case that acts as the anode and a carbon rod that is in contact with a moist paste of solid MnO2 , solid NH4Cl, and carbon that acts as the cathode.
In the alkaline dry cell battery the solid NH4Cl is replaced with KOH or NaOH. This battery lasts longer than the normal dry cell battery.
A common dry cell battery
Alkaline Battery
Duracell was the original maker of the
Alkaline Manganese Dioxide electrochemical system nearly 40 years ago. The
alkaline-manganese battery contains a zinc anode, similar to that of a dry cell
battery, a manganese dioxide cathode, and a highly conductive potassium
hydroxide electrolyte.
Alkaline Manganese Dioxide cells, a.k.a. Alkaline batteries, have many
advantages over dry cell batteries including higher energy output. Other
significant advantages are longer shelf life, better leakage resistance, and
superior low temperature performance. In comparison to the dry cell, a.k.a.
zinc-carbon cell, the alkaline cell delivers up to ten times the ampere per
hour capacity at high and continuous drain conditions. Its performance at low
temperatures is also superior to other conventional aqueous electrolyte primary
cells. Its more effective, secure seal provides excellent resistance to leakage
and corrosion.
Anatomy of an Alkaline Battery