When a dry cell runs out of power...?

Question

Let's say a simple circuit consisting of dry cells connected in series and light bulbs is created.

If one dry cell runs out of power, is the circuit broken or does the dry cell then function as an electrical conductor, keeping the circuit unbroken? That is to say, assuming the other dry cells supply enough power, will the light bulbs stay lit?

Answer 1

I remember the physics instructor talking about this years ago, a dead cell has a much higher resistance, and will cause a considerable drop in voltage , lowering the effect of the remaining good battery.

Answer 2

The short answer is yes the bulbs will stay lit.
Lets use a simple flashlight with 2 - 1.5V drycells. Lets assume u would install one fresh and one dead cell in the same light. If batterys are placed in series you should have 3V, instead, with a dead batt u would have only the 1.5V in the fresh batt, the light would be very dim.
The same principle applys to batt's installed in parallel. Again assuming the batt's are 1.5V the voltage stays at 1.5V but the amperage is doubled. Again, if one of the batt's is dead the light will be almost as bright however, it will last fractionally less that half as long, as the dead cell will sap energy from it's energitic counterpart.

Answer 3

The "dead"cell will act as a resistance in the circuit.
You will get a volt drop of IxR where I is current in amps and R is the resistance of the cell.
The bulbs will remain lit but less brightly.

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

Well, if it acts the same as a car battery itwould not stop the circuit from working, I would venture to suggest!

Answer 6

In general, yes. Dead batteries tend to behave like a low resistance.

Answer 7

well in Zimbabwe we say "kana rapera moto rafa" meaning a dead battery acts as an empeder to the flow of current so NO

Answer 8

yes it will