Final answer:
Be wary of the 24 V single voltaic cell claim because it deviates from standard single-cell voltages (~1.5 V). High voltage typically requires multiple cells in series, and high internal resistance could result in lower practical voltage. Furthermore, primary batteries are not rechargeable, potentially limiting the practicality of such a design.
Step-by-step explanation:
You should be wary of investing in a battery that claims to produce 24 V from a single voltaic cell because it significantly deviates from the voltage produced by standard chemistry in single cells. The commonly known dry cells have an electromotive force (emf) around 1.5 V. A 24 V battery would typically consist of multiple cells connected in series, as the cumulative voltage is the sum of the voltages of individual cells. High voltage from a single cell suggests either a breakthrough technology or a misunderstanding, and without demonstrated science and data to support such a claim, investment would be risky.
Moreover, the internal resistance of a battery adds up when cells are connected in series. This additional resistance can lead to a lower actual voltage under load than the theoretical emf would suggest, which might become an issue, especially with a unique and untested single-cell design.
Primary batteries, such as dry cells, are not rechargeable and thus have a limited lifetime, which could make such high-voltage, single-use batteries impractical or not cost-effective compared to rechargeable options. Hence, skepticism is warranted when someone proposes a vastly different or unproven technology that deviates from established chemical and physical principles.