Introduction
Alkaline Battery is a type of primary battery that uses an alkaline electrolyte, typically potassium hydroxide, and a zinc anode and a manganese dioxide cathode to produce electrical energy. It is a popular battery technology that has a longer lifespan and higher energy density than zinc-carbon batteries.
Construction:
Alkaline batteries consist of a cylindrical metal container that serves as the anode, a carbon rod that serves as the cathode, and an alkaline electrolyte that separates the two electrodes. The cathode is made up of manganese dioxide powder mixed with graphite and electrolyte paste, while the anode is made up of powdered zinc and gelling agent mixed with the electrolyte paste.
Working:
When the battery is connected to an external circuit, the zinc anode is oxidized, and zinc ions are produced, which dissolve in the electrolyte. The zinc ions then react with the hydroxide ions in the electrolyte to form zinc oxide and water. At the same time, the manganese dioxide cathode is reduced by the zinc ions, producing electrons that flow through the external circuit and can be used to power electronic devices. This process can be repeated until the zinc is depleted.
Applications:
- Portable Electronics: Alkaline batteries are widely used in portable electronic devices such as cameras, portable media players, and electronic toys because they have a longer lifespan and higher energy density than zinc-carbon batteries.
- Flashlights: Alkaline batteries are used in flashlights because they have a longer lifespan and can provide sufficient power for the flashlight’s high-drain operation.
- Smoke Detectors: Alkaline batteries are used in smoke detectors because they have a longer lifespan and can provide sufficient power for the detector’s low-drain operation.
- Clocks: Alkaline batteries are used in clocks because they have a longer lifespan and can provide sufficient power for the clock’s low-drain operation.
- Remote Controls: Alkaline batteries are used in remote controls for televisions and other electronic devices because they have a longer lifespan and can provide sufficient power for the remote’s low-drain operation.
- Wireless Mouse and Keyboard: Alkaline batteries are used in wireless mouse and keyboard because they have a longer lifespan and can provide sufficient power for the device’s low-drain operation.
- Emergency Radios: Alkaline batteries are used in emergency radios because they have a longer lifespan and can provide sufficient power for the radio’s low-drain operation.
- Medical Devices: Alkaline batteries are used in medical devices such as blood glucose meters and portable oxygen concentrators because they have a longer lifespan and can provide sufficient power for the device’s low-drain operation.