By: Fatima Payman

Rechargeable batteries

Our markets are flooded with new items and gadgets that use rechargeable batteries.

From operated toys to electronic devices, all have rechargeable batteries.

Gone are the days when we had to buy new batteries to replace the ones which died.

Rechargeable batteries will not

last forever but are a BETTER

OPTION!

WHAT ARE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES?

A rechargeable battery is a type of battery that can be recharged and used many times.

They are considered to be electrochemical cells which produce a limited amount of energy.

They are also known as storage batteries, due to their ability to accumulate and store energy so that they are available at times of need.

Rechargeable batteries were developed as an alternative to disposable batteries and also to help families save money and reduce waste.

FUNCTION OF RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

A battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy and they are made of chemicals and metals such as nickel, mercury and lead acid.

Batteries have two electrodes: anode – which is the negative plate cathode – which is the positive plate

Voltaic cells is the name given to the battery with two electrodes.

A voltage differential between the anode and cathode causes an electric current to run in between the battery’s two electrodes.

ELECTRICAL ENERGY …

With the help of reactive chemicals, batteries have plates which are separated by barriers .

These barriers are polarized so that all electrons gather on one side and hence possesses a negative charge . Resulting the other side to be positively charged.

When a device is connected, it creates a current and the electrons flow through the device to the positive end (referring to electronic current).

At the same time, an electrochemical reaction occurs inside the batteries, causing the electrons to reload.

Rechargeable batteries can restore to full charge as they can efficiently and safely reverse the chemical changes that occur during the discharge process.

ADVANTAGES …

Cost: Rechargeable batteries are renowned as being able to be reused more than 500 times, reducing the cost of replacing the batteries. Despite the high initial cost, using the batteries can save up to hundreds of dollars a year.

Efficiency: Rechargeable batteries are more efficient than disposable batteries and can last up to five times longer than disposable batteries.

Less Environmental Impact: It’s a proven fact that rechargeable batteries have up to 32 times less of an impact on the environment compared to disposable batteries. When disposable batteries are thrown out, they release dangerous, toxic chemicals into the environment.

DISADVANTAGES …

Charging: Rechargeable batteries can be a hassle to recharge, especially if the device is useless while their batteries wait to recharge.

Uses: Certain types of batteries, depending on their composition, are useful only with certain devices. Older hand-held devices will react against using nickel-based batteries in them and recommend alkaline instead. The high number of different compositions can make it confusing for someone to decide which battery is best.

Hazards: Some rechargeable batteries, especially the nickel-cadmium variety, contain chemicals even more dangerous than those inside alkaline batteries. This makes them a very high environmental risk and one of the main reasons some countries place restrictions on the number of nickel-cadmium batteries that can be used.

THANK YOU