ELI5: Why do old batteries leak?

r/

Why do some old alkaline batteries leak when not being used in a device? Why can’t they be made to not leak? Why don’t all leak, but about 10%? Is this an intentional flaw to make us buy more?

Comments

  1. JellyKron Avatar

    Everything always leaks eventually, 100% of the time. Entropy is inevitable. All things degrade over time. Some faster than others.