: Why do lithium ion batteries explode/catch fire when they are punchered?
In: Chemistry
Batteries contain energy. The normal way of using that energy is connecting an electrical load and slowly draining the battery. When you puncture a battery, you can create a short circuit, connecting the positive and negative terminals of the battery inside the battery. This releases energy very quickly by causing a lot of current to flow, and that heats up the battery. Then the battery can become hot enough to enter thermal runaway, starting other chemical reactions which release even more heat.
Latest Answers