Definition of Cell

A cell is a unit source of power that converts chemical energy stored in them to electrical energy. The battery is referred to as the parallel combination of electrochemical cells.

 Cells are of two types 

  • Primary Cell
  • Secondary Cell

Difference Between Primary Cell and Secondary Cell

Difference between a Primary Cell and a Secondary Cell is that Primary Cells are the ones that cannot be charged but Secondary Cells are the ones that are rechargeable. Before learning about the detailed difference between Primary Cells and Secondary Cells, we will first learn about what a cell is, what are batteries, and the definitions of Primary cells and Secondary Cells. Apart from this, we will also learn about the Examples of Primary Cells and Secondary Cells, Applications of Primary Cells and Secondary Cells, and the Advantages and Disadvantages of Primary Cells and Secondary Cells. Let’s learn them one by one

Similar Reads

Definition of Cell

A cell is a unit source of power that converts chemical energy stored in them to electrical energy. The battery is referred to as the parallel combination of electrochemical cells....

Primary Cell

Primary Cell is a type of electrochemical cell that is designed to be used once and disposed of or discarded, after its useful life. They lack fluid inside and are hence referred to as Dry Cells. They have a mechanism of an irreversible chemical reaction and due to their high charge density, they discharge slowly. A primary cell is not rechargeable and cannot be restored to its original charge once it has been depleted. Primary cells are used in a wide range of applications, including portable electronic devices, flashlights, and other devices that require a portable power source. Some examples of primary cells include alkaline cells, zinc-carbon cells, and lithium primary cells....

Secondary Cell

Secondary Cell, also known as a rechargeable cell, is a type of electrical cell that can be recharged and used multiple times. Secondary Cells consist of wet molten ions and they undergo reversible chemical reaction mechanisms. Unlike a primary cell, which is used once and then disposed of, a secondary cell can be recharged by running an electric current through it in the opposite direction of the current that is used to discharge it. Common examples of secondary cells include lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. These types of cells are used in a wide range of applications, including powering portable electronic devices, vehicles, and backup power systems....

Difference Between a Primary Cell and a Secondary Cell

Difference between Primary Cells and Secondary Cells is that Primary cells are the ones that cannot be recharged and have to be discarded after the expiration of their lifetime whereas, secondary cells need to be recharged when the charge gets over. Both types of cells are used extensively in various appliances and these cells differ in size and material used in them. A detailed difference between them is tabulated below:...

Advantages of Primary Cell and Secondary Cell

Primary cells are cells that are designed to be used once and then discarded, while secondary cells are cells that can be recharged and used multiple times....

Disadvantages of Primary Cell and Secondary Cell

There are several disadvantages of Primary Cells:...

Applications of Primary Cell and Secondary Cell

Primary cells are single-use batteries that are designed to be used once and then disposed of. They are typically used in applications where it is not practical to recharge the battery, such as in remote or isolated locations. Examples of primary cells include alkaline batteries, which are commonly used in household items like flashlights and remote controls, and zinc-carbon batteries, which are often used in low-drain devices like clocks and radios....

FAQs on Primary and Secondary Cells

Q1: What is the Difference between a Primary Cell and a Secondary Cell?...