What is the total voltage when 12 Nickel-Cadmium batteries are connected in series?

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Multiple Choice

What is the total voltage when 12 Nickel-Cadmium batteries are connected in series?

When cells are connected in series, their voltages add up. Nickel-Cadmium cells have a nominal voltage of about 1.2 volts each. So twelve in series gives a nominal total of 12 × 1.2 = 14.4 volts. A fully charged NiCd cell can run around 1.4 volts, which would bring the pack up toward 12 × 1.4 ≈ 16.8 volts. The option of 15 volts is a reasonable practical approximation for a charged pack, which is why it’s considered the best answer in this context. The other values don’t match the typical per-cell voltage: 72 volts would require a much higher per-cell voltage, and 12 or 12.6 volts would imply per-cell voltages far below the standard NiCd level.

When cells are connected in series, their voltages add up. Nickel-Cadmium cells have a nominal voltage of about 1.2 volts each. So twelve in series gives a nominal total of 12 × 1.2 = 14.4 volts. A fully charged NiCd cell can run around 1.4 volts, which would bring the pack up toward 12 × 1.4 ≈ 16.8 volts. The option of 15 volts is a reasonable practical approximation for a charged pack, which is why it’s considered the best answer in this context. The other values don’t match the typical per-cell voltage: 72 volts would require a much higher per-cell voltage, and 12 or 12.6 volts would imply per-cell voltages far below the standard NiCd level.

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