The Dry Cell is a Primary Cell
The cells from which electric energy is derived by irreversible chemical action are called primary cells. The primary cell is capable of providing an EMF when its constituent’s two electrodes and a suitable electrolyte are assembled together. The three main primary cells namely are the Daniel cell, the Leclanche cell, and the dry cell. None of these cells can be recharged electrically.
A zinc–carbon battery is a type of dry cell battery that delivers a potential of 1.5 volts. Although carbon is an important element of the battery's construction, it takes no part in the electrochemical reaction. The cell could more properly be called a "zinc–manganese" cell. The zinc can is the anode and the source of high potential electrons at a higher potential than the other terminal and hence it is marked negative. The manganese dioxide and carbon black paste is the cathode and the inert carbon rod is a non-corrodible conductor that makes the positive pole, which is at lower potential than the anode, hence it is marked with a positive sign. General purpose batteries may use ammonium chloride and/or zinc chloride as the electrolyte.
Zinc–carbon batteries were the first commercial dry batteries, developed from the technology of the wet Leclanché cell and made flashlights and other portable devices possible, because the battery can function in any orientation. They are still useful in low drain or intermittent use devices such as remote controls, flashlights, clocks or transistor radios. Zinc–carbon dry cells are single-use primary cells, since they are not intended to be recharged.
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