Compare rechargeable cells and non-rechargeable cells. Include in your answer how each type of cell stops producing electricity.

AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) — 4.5.2 Chemical cells and fuel cells (Chem only) · Compare · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

Non‑rechargeable cells:
1. The cell stops when a reactant is used up – the cell goes flat.
2. The chemical reaction cannot be reversed, so the cell cannot be re‑charged.

Rechargeable cells:
3. The cell can be re‑charged because the chemical reactions are reversible.
4. An external electrical current is applied to reverse the reactions and restore the cell.

Examiner tips

  • Use the four points in the correct order; each point is worth one mark.
  • Show the difference in reversibility and the role of an external current for re‑charging.
  • Use the exact wording from the mark scheme (e.g., ‘goes flat’, ‘cannot be re‑charged’).

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the stopping mechanism of non‑rechargeable cells with a voltage drop rather than reactant depletion.
  • Claiming that non‑rechargeable cells can be re‑charged, or omitting the external current for rechargeable cells.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. In non-rechargeable cells, the chemical reactions stop / the cell goes flat when one of the reactants has been used up
  2. Non-rechargeable cells cannot be recharged / the chemical reaction cannot be reversed
  3. Rechargeable cells can be recharged because the chemical reactions are reversed
  4. An external electrical current is supplied to recharge the cell / to reverse the chemical reactions

Key terms in this question

rechargeable cells · non-rechargeable cells

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