Approximate models are developed, based on second, fourth, and sixth order polynomials, that describe the concentration profile of an electrochemically active species in a spherical electrode particle. Analytical expressions are obtained that describe the way the concentration profiles, surface concentrations, and electrode utilization change during the galvanostatic discharge of an electrode particle. Based on a comparison with an exact analytical model over a wide range of dimensionless current densities, all three approximate models performed extremely well in predicting these quantities. Quantitative criterion for the validity of these models is also developed and shows that the sixth order, four parameter approximate model is the best. These approximate models, or similarly developed models, should find extensive use in simplifying the modeling of complex electrochemical systems without sacrificing much accuracy as shown in Part II of this series for the concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient case.