Why do batteries lose charge when they’re not being used?
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There are two main reasons. One is small internal short circuits, and the second is side reactions. Internal short circuits may be clearer, so let‘s talk about the side reactions: The battery charge depends on a main chemical reactions, however, side reactions are taking place which use up parts of the chemicals, so they are no longer available for the main reaction.
Eli5 version: Let‘s say you have a bunch of workers, and since they are doing hard work they need food to be able to work. lot’s of food. But currently you don‘t have a real task for them, so they sit idle and do other things, like playing cards, chatting, standing around, go for walks, etc.
They will still use food, very little compared to the times they are doing hard work, but nevertheless that food will be missing once they have to start doing real work again.
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