Too hot to handle... I had two AAA batteries in my pocket. Why did they heat up?

Question

Too hot to handle... I had two AAA batteries in my pocket. Why did they heat up?

Answer 1

Usually, there is some short between their poles.  If you had change in your pocket, one of the possible scenarios is that the change provided a short between the positive and negative of at least one, possibly both batteries.

Another possibility is that there is some conductivity to the material lining your pocket.  If it is a shiny metallic or some such, it very well may have completed the circuit.

Essentially, one or both of the batteries formed a circuit.  Now you have to figure what allowed the current to flow. =)

Cheers,

Chris

Answer 2

Most likely they simply absorbed your body heat.