Question

Ryan wants to see if storing his batteries in the refrigerator will make them last longer. He goes to Target and buys four batteries of the same brand that have the same " Best if used by" date. Ryan keeps two batteries in his desk drawer for 12 months and puts the other two batteries in the refrigerator for 12 months. He then puts the batteries from the desk drawer into his Dad's antique portable CD player and plays his Lady Gaga CD continuously until the batteries die. Ryan records the length of the playing time. Ryan then uses the batteries from the refrigerator. He plays the same CD at the same volume until those batteries die. He then compares the length of playing time.

Answer 1

The battery which Ryan kept in fridge, assuming it was well protected from any moisture or water, it would tend to play the CD longer than the one stored in a desk drawer. This is because storing batteries in a cool dry location while protected from any moisture or water, can help to prolong shelf life. This is due to the fact that low temperatures tends to slow down the electric current flow within the electrolyte fluid inside the battery, hence, the rate of power dissipation is reduced thus slowing down of the power drain from battery by the electric current flow . Thus, the battery stored in the fridge tends to have lost less power, if any, compared to the one stored in a desk drawer.