Understanding Battery Memory: What Causes It and How Does it Work?

[dusty8683]

in my physics class we learned about how batteries work. my teacher briefly talked about battery memory (how if you only let it discharge half way and recharge it and keep doing that cycle... the battery will think half way is empty) but he didn't give an explanation why. I'm somewhat familiar with batteries now and how they work so if someone can tell me exactly what happens inside the battery during this process that would be great. thanks.

 

[Jimmy]

I've often heard that nickel cadmium batteries may develop a "memory" if not discharged completely but from what I've found, this seems to be largely a myth. I'm not sure of the details behind this process but here are some links that may help you.

http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_NiCd_Memory.html

http://bex.nsstc.uah.edu/PH337/lab1/b01.html

http://www.fyre-fraust.ca/digitalfusion/sbr/charger.htm