The Sela School District provides information on how to run an experiment to determine whether rechargeable or disposable batteries last longer. Purchase two of each brand name rechargeable and disposable battery for testing. Build or purchase a battery tester. Place a battery into the tester, making sure the light is turned on and the clock or timer is working correctly. Let the experiment run, and come back later to take note of the time the battery stopped providing current. Repeat these steps for each battery, documenting the results. Analyze and graph the findings.
The Energy Quest website provides instructions on how to determine which brand name battery has the longest life. Purchase four identical flashlights. Purchase two of each brand name D-size battery. Place the batteries in the flashlights at night, and turn the flashlights on, noting the time. The next morning, watch for the flashlights to turn off and write down the time. Do this for every battery you purchased. Analyze and graph the results.
If the flashlight goes out during the night, use two brand new batteries and conduct the experiment during the day to accurately determine how long the battery lasted. Use this figure in your analysis and graph the results.
This experiment was exhibited at the 2003 California State Science Fair, where two students determined if temperature affects the battery life of an average household alkaline battery. Divide 42 of the same brand name AA Alkaline batteries into three groups. Place one group into a freezer, one group into a refrigerator, and leave one group at room temperature for 40 days. Allow each group of batteries to return to room temperature for 24 hours. Use a stopwatch or other timing device to record how long it took for each battery, in each test group, to drain of power. Analyze the findings and graph the results.
Batteries only last so long before they are either thrown out and replaced with new ones or recharged. The Science Buddies website explains how you can conduct an experiment that will determine whether there is still power left in a battery when it is dead. Using a cheap flashlight, battery holders, and several different sizes of the same brand name battery, document how long each battery lasted before the flashlight turned off. Plot the findings on a graph. Test each drained battery to see if there is any voltage left and graph the results. Finally, repeat the experiment, this time using different brand name batteries of the same size. Analyze and chart the findings.
Battery holders can be purchased at most hobby shops or electronic stores. You will need one for each size of battery being tested. Remove the flashlight's battery compartment by cutting the wires and attach a new battery holder for the size of battery you are testing. For each different-sized battery, use the appropriate battery holder to power the flashlight.