Batteries
AimsBefore you startIntroductionBasic principlesThermodynamics and kineticsPrimary batteriesZinc/carbon batteriesAlkaline/manganese oxide batteriesZinc/silver oxide batteriesSecondary batteriesLead/acid batteriesLithium batteriesBattery characteristicsThe futureQuestionsGoing furtherTLP creditsTLP contentsShow all contentViewing and downloading resourcesAbout the TLPsTerms of useFeedbackCredits Print this page
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Nickel-cadmium batteries
The exception to this is the nickel-cadmium battery, as subjecting them to partial discharge introduces “memory effects;” the battery appears to “remember” how much charge is being used, and will only recharge that amount rather than the full amount of charge.
In fact the repeated shallow charging causes the crystalline structure in the battery to change: the crystals in the cell grow larger, increasing the impedance and thus reducing its capacity.