Secondary Voltaic Cells
Definition and meaning of Secondary Voltaic Cells in chemistry.
Secondary voltaic cells are rechargeable electrochemical cells that can be restored to their original charged state by passing an electrical current through them in the reverse direction of their discharge current.
In more detail
Unlike primary voltaic cells, which are strictly designed for single-use applications, secondary cells utilize completely reversible oxidation-reduction reactions. When the battery is actively discharged to power a connected device, it operates spontaneously as a galvanic cell. During the charging process, an external power source forces the reverse non-spontaneous reaction to occur, effectively acting as an electrolytic cell to regenerate the original chemical reactants at both electrodes.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Feature | Rechargeable |
| Operation | Reversible redox reactions |
The lithium-ion battery powering a modern smartphone or electric vehicle is a classic secondary voltaic cell that can be safely recharged hundreds or thousands of times.