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alkaline battery
A primary battery (non-rechargeable)
often used in electronics applications requiring heavy currents for long
periods of time (e.g. CD players and radios). Alkaline cells overcome some
of the problems with carbon-zinc
batteries by using potassium hydroxide in place of ammonium chloride
in the electrolyte. Potassium hydroxide is a base or alkaline material,
hence "alkaline" batteries.
Alkaline batteries have a much longer shelf life and perform better under
drain and in cold weather than their carbon-zinc counterparts. They also
avoid the use of the zinc-corroding ammonium ions and do not produce any
gaseous products. Typically, they can deliver 50-100% more total energy
than carbon-zinc batteries of the same size; hence their popularity in consumer
applications. Related category
• BATTERIES
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