Which of the following describes a primary battery?

The correct answer is Option (1) → The reaction occurs only once, and after use over a period of time the battery becomes dead and cannot be used again.

Every battery is a galvanic cell that changes the chemical energy of a redox reaction into electrical energy. In a primary battery the reaction cannot be reversed by charging, so once the reactants are used up the battery is dead. The dry cell is the most familiar example.

Why the other options are incorrect

Option (2) After use, it can be recharged by passing current through it in the opposite direction, so that it can be used again. — Incorrect. This describes a secondary battery, such as the lead storage battery, which can be recharged.

Option (3) The reactants are fed continuously to the electrodes and the products are removed continuously from the electrolyte compartment. — Incorrect. This describes a fuel cell, which runs as long as the reactants are supplied.

Option (4) It uses electrical energy from an external source to carry out a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. — Incorrect. This describes an electrolytic cell; a battery produces electrical energy, it does not use it.

NCERT (2026-27 edition):
2.6.1 Primary Batteries – “In the primary batteries, the reaction occurs only once and after use over a period of time battery becomes dead and cannot be reused again. The most familiar example of this type is the dry cell (known as Leclanche cell after its discoverer) which is used commonly in our transistors and clocks.”