BasicB-003-016-005
Why is the NiMH battery often preferred over a conventional alkaline battery?
C
Answer
Basic radio theory
Type
A
It provides a higher voltage
B
It contains a liquid electrolyte
C
It can be repeatedly recharged
D
It can be discarded without precautions
Answer Notes
Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are secondary cells, meaning the chemical reactions inside them are reversible. This allows them to be repeatedly recharged and reused hundreds of times, making them highly cost-effective and environmentally friendly for power-hungry devices like handheld amateur radios.
Conventional alkaline batteries are primary cells designed for single use; they cannot be safely or effectively recharged. Note that NiMH batteries actually have a slightly lower nominal cell voltage (1.2V) compared to fresh alkalines (1.5V), making the 'higher voltage' distractor factually incorrect.
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The voltage at a battery's terminals will drop when it supplies current. What is the cause of the drop?