What type of battery is a primary battery?

A primary battery is specifically designed for single-use applications. Once depleted, these batteries cannot be recharged and are intended to be disposed of. This characteristic makes them suitable for devices where replacing batteries is more convenient than recharging them. Common examples include alkaline batteries used in remote controls and smoke detectors. The nature of primary batteries emphasizes their convenience and user-friendliness in situations where a consistent, reliable power source is needed without the hassle of maintenance or recharging.

In contrast to primary batteries, rechargeable batteries, also known as secondary batteries, can be reused multiple times, which differentiates them from the single-use design of primary batteries. This distinction is crucial for understanding battery technologies and their practical applications.