As a battery starts discharging, which of the following statements is true?

As a battery starts discharging, the internal voltage decreases. This decline in voltage occurs due to several electrochemical processes taking place within the battery. When a battery is in use, the chemical reactions that generate electrical energy consume the reactants over time. As the materials involved in the chemical reactions become depleted, the ability of the battery to maintain its voltage diminishes.

This process involves the transformation of the active materials, which leads to a drop in the potential difference across the battery terminals—hence, the observed decrease in voltage. The decrease is generally gradual during normal discharge until the battery reaches a lower threshold where it is considered fully discharged.

In contrast, internal voltage does not remain constant throughout discharge; it also does not increase or fluctuate randomly under normal operating conditions. Maintaining awareness of these changes in internal voltage is crucial for understanding battery management and performance, particularly when it comes to safety and efficiency in electrical applications.