What does NiCad stand for?

• A. Nickel Cadmium
• B. Nickel Carbonide
• C. Nickel Cadmium oxide
• D. Nickel Chromium

Answer: (A)

NiCad is the shorthand for nickel-cadmium, a rechargeable battery type. The name comes directly from its two main active materials: nickel and cadmium. In NiCd cells, the positive electrode is nickel-based (nickel oxide/hydroxide) and the negative electrode is cadmium, with an alkaline electrolyte like potassium hydroxide. Because the abbreviation literally combines the two metals involved, this is the best answer. The other options aren’t correct because they imply materials not used in this battery type or a different chemistry altogether: nickel carbonide isn’t a standard battery material, nickel cadmium oxide isn’t the conventional naming for this cell, and nickel chromium isn’t part of NiCd chemistry.