Which of the following is a characteristic of a primary battery?

A primary battery is designed to generate electrical energy through chemical reactions that cannot be reversed. This characteristic leads to the conclusion that primary batteries have a finite life span since they are used until the chemical reactants are depleted.

The short lifespan is a defining trait because primary batteries, unlike secondary batteries, are not meant to be recharged once their energy is gone. After they are used, they must be discarded, which is why they are often found in devices that require a temporary power source rather than a continual supply. This makes them useful for low-drain applications where frequent replacement is acceptable.

While rechargeable batteries and those designed for multiple uses are commonly referenced with secondary batteries, primary batteries have a distinct purpose that emphasizes their single-use nature and eventual depletion of energy over time. Similarly, the idea of storing energy indefinitely does not apply, as the chemical compositions in primary batteries will eventually degrade, limiting their effective use.