Because of the accumulation of hydrogen gas, which is flammable. Over time, the chemical components naturally form this gas, which is stored inside the pile and can start combustion due to a series of factors. An exploding AA battery is theoretically harmless, but people have been reported to have been injured with larger batteries, such as those in laptops. Common batteries, when they burst, release a brown liquid, which is the mixture of metals inside. Already alkaline release a white powder. In both cases, they cannot be used again.
GAS PROBLEM
Hydrogen only combusts with the battery under inappropriate conditions
– Why are letters used to classify batteries?
tear off the wrapper
Removing the cover makes it easier for oxidation or a reaction between internal components to occur. In both cases, internal pressure increases and the pile is more likely to rupture.
Reverse the poles on the device
Placing the positive pole of the battery in the socket of the device facing the negative pole (and vice versa) causes a current to pass through it, causing unwanted electrochemical reactions, forming hydrogen.
excess heat
A high temperature applied to the battery can trigger an explosion. Excess heat increases hydrogen generation. The hotter it is, the greater the chances that the gas will ignite.
Charging non-rechargeable battery
Chargers reverse the chemical reactions in the batteries to try to restore them to their original state. Applying this method to an ordinary battery, whose chemical composition is not appropriate, increases the generation of dangerous hydrogen gas.
MYTHS PILLED
Three old wives’ tales about saving batteries
Flip the sides of the stacks
False! Swapping the one on the left for the one on the right doesn’t make them last longer. Energy consumption is always uniform.
warm in hand
False! It does not help to recharge it – the heat generated does not affect the chemical components.
put in the freezer
False! Does not increase service life. Incidentally, excessive cold compromises battery performance.
CONSULTANCY Antonio R. Neto, marketing manager at Rayovac, Luis Geraldo Cardoso dos Santos, professor of chemistry at Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia, and Luís Novazzi, professor of chemical engineering at FEI ImAgem Stock.XCHNG