Electrolysis Practice Exam

What type of cell typically produces direct current?

1. Lead-acid battery

2. Dry cell

3. Solar panel

4. AC generator

The correct answer is: Dry cell

The correct response is that a dry cell typically produces direct current. A dry cell is a type of electrochemical cell that generates electrical energy through a chemical reaction, and this energy flows in one direction, which defines direct current (DC). Lead-acid batteries also produce direct current, as they store electrical energy chemically and release it as DC. While solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, they initially produce direct current but may require an inverter for alternating current (AC) applications. An AC generator, on the other hand, is designed to produce alternating current, where the flow of electricity continually reverses direction. This distinction is crucial for understanding which devices generate direct versus alternating current.