Eli5: Why do charged electronics (Game controllers, eReaders,) lose their charge when they’re not being used?

Question

Eli5: Why do charged electronics (Game controllers, eReaders,) lose their charge when they’re not being used?

In: 1469

Answer 1

Batteries self discharge, the decay of charge can be explained by the same thing that makes ice melt and coffee get cold. Mantaining an electric charge and all of those teeny particles excited requires energy, and that energy dissipates in the form of heat in minuscule quantities, it is harder for the battery to be charged than it is for it to not be charged, thus it will eventually lose all charge. Using them will only accelerate this process.