It is naturally alarming when smartphone batteries swell, and we imagine a dramatic explosion following. Fortunately this is so rare you are more likely to see an elephant crossing Time Square (these things do happen). None the less, we can’t carry on as if nothing’s happened. Tom’s Guide provided the info and we pass it on.
What’s Happening When Smartphone Batteries Swell?
Tom had us thumbing through our Google when he fingered stoichiometry as his explanation when smartphone batteries swell. According to Chemistry Libre Texts this relates to “using relationships between reactants and/or products in a chemical reaction to determine desired quantitative data.”
We’ll move on to more solid ground. Lithium batteries use chemical reactions when they charge. If they don’t consume all the available reagents, they create by-products instead. These by-products are often gaseous. You got the picture. The gas expands, the batteries are sealed, and so they react by swelling.
How to Check If Your Smartphone Battery is Swollen
What Will Happen If You Ignore This
If you keep charging your faulty smartphone battery it will keep on expanding. Eventually something will have to give. When smartphone batteries swell beyond what they can take, they open a hairline crack to relieve the pressure.
Anything is possible after that as the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle ably demonstrated. If a smartphone battery bursts open it is going to spew hot stuff all over the room. Unfortunately this could happen in your pocket or bag too.
Therefore, having a smartphone battery swell is not something you want to ignore. Put your phone somewhere safe while the charge slowly runs down. Do not take it to a dealer, or throw it in the trash because that would be irresponsible. While you wait, discuss your problem with a phone repair shop you trust.
Never take a chance with a lithium battery – or any battery – you suspect. We don’t want you to burn yourself taking a chance with something you may not fully understand.
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Preview Image: Macbook Pro 15 Inch Swollen Battery
Video Share Link: https://youtu.be/H68Qdl9I_-A
