Alkaline Batteries, Magnets, Temperature

Most recent answer: 03/04/2011

Q:
why do akkaline battries get hot when you put magnets on them?
- Tolya (age 8)
naperville Illinoise USA
A:
This sounded so strange I had to try it. An alkaline battery is sitting here with two big magnets on it. The battery does stick to the magnets, but I can't notice any heating. It's hard to imagine any physical mechanism that would cause that heating. Of course if you hold the battery long enough, your hand will warm it up. The magnet isn't needed.

Did you try this yourself or is it something you heard from somebody else?

Mike W.

(published on 03/04/2011)