Burning batteries is strictly prohibited, but fires do occasionally occur. This is most often due to carelessness and simple curiosity. Nowadays, many teenagers try to experiment with heating batteries. In some cases, this leads to disastrous consequences.
What happens if you heat up a battery?
A battery contains every possible element on the periodic table, including cadmium, mercury, zinc, lead, and others. It also contains acids similar to the electrolyte. When heated, this explosive mixture causes an explosion. Under the influence of heat, the substances produce gases that exert pressure on the entire inner surface of the galvanic cell cylinder.
Once the pressure reaches critical levels, a pop occurs, and the battery flies apart. Typically, one terminal is ejected. In rare cases, the pressure can blow out both terminals. In the most extreme cases, the battery can be turned inside out.
Therefore, you shouldn't heat batteries, much less set them on fire. One of the terminals could easily fly into a person and cause harm. A hot battery is equivalent to a live projectile.
