Everything in this world is finite, including our youth and our favorite electrical devices. The reason why all primary batteries fade away is they eventually run out of energy too. Although sending our batteries to the gym to exercise is hardly going to restore them to their former glory. But wait a moment! This blog is about batteries, so let’s get back onto solid ground.
The Primary Reason Why Single-Use Batteries Fade
When we were kids, we may have imagined our batteries contained electricity like water in a tank. But now we know better. Our batteries contain electro-chemical energy that only becomes electricity when it enters an electrical device.
We also know that our battery terminals are conduits through which it allows its energy to flow. All electro-chemical batteries follow these same principles, although they use different materials to achieve their goals.
An alkaline battery, just to mention an example, probably uses zinc and manganese dioxide to store its energy. But that store is not infinitely elastic, because it eventually ‘runs out of petrol’ like an idling car, and stops working.
This simple fact of life is why all primary batteries fade away eventually, and can longer power our devices. But this does not mean that they are worthless, because their storage materials are still largely intact.
How To Extend a Single-Use Battery’s Life
Batteries are our tried and trusted friends, always ready to work for as long as they hold a useful charge. To meet this commitment, they need to be ready in a virtual split second. We can compare this to idling racing cars waiting for a signal to accelerate away from the starting grid.
Batteries are like that too, which is why they gradually surrender some of their energy, even when they are not connected. This is why we should only purchase primary batteries that state their manufacture date, which should ideally only be a few months past.
More Information
How A Battery Works – The Basics To Know
