A smartphone user experiences difficulty removing the back cover of the device. Once finally removed, the battery appears to have swollen. The battery is still functional, but requires more frequent…

Question

Options

• ARemove the battery and let it cool for 24 hours
• BFully discharge and then fully recharge the battery
• CShort the battery terminals with a paper clip
• DReplace the battery with a new one

• B
  4% (1)
• D
  96% (22)

Explanation

A swollen battery is a serious safety hazard. Lithium-ion batteries swell due to internal chemical breakdown that produces gas, and a swollen battery risks rupturing, catching fire, or causing a chemical burn. Even if the battery still functions, it must be replaced immediately - the swelling indicates the battery has been compromised. Letting it cool (A) does not reverse the chemical damage causing the swelling. Fully discharging and recharging (B) is a calibration technique that has no effect on battery swelling. Shorting the terminals with a paper clip (C) is extremely dangerous and could cause sparks, fire, or injury and should never be done.

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