What's the difference between an alkaline battery and a regular battery?

Alkaline cell batteries (denoted by the letters "LR" followed by numbers indicating the battery size) and zinc-carbon batteries (commonly labeled with the letter "R" by a number indicating size) are two common types of single-use dry cells. While they may appear identical in size and shape, they differ significantly in their internal chemical composition. These differences affect their performance, service life, and suitability for various devices.

Alkaline cell batteries commonly utilize a potassium hydroxide electrolyte and a zinc powder anode, delivering a stable voltage ranging from 1.5V to 9V. The batteries offer higher energy density, greater current output, slower voltage decay, and a longer shelf life compared. With a longer shelf life and the ability to support medium- to high-drain devices, alkaline cell batteries ensure consistent power delivery over extended periods, providing three to seven times the operational life of zinc-carbon batteries. However, this enhanced performance comes at a higher price point. In contrast, zinc-carbon batteries employ a zinc can that acts as both the negative electrode and the outer container, resulting in a simpler structure but limited capacity. They are cheap, but have a short lifespan and need to be replaced frequently. Zinc-carbon batteries are an economical choice for low-power and infrequently used devices such as remote controls and clocks.