[ot] fastest and safest way to discharge a rechargeable battery?

[Alma J Wetzker]

Man-wai CHANG wrote:
>> Batteries don't last forever, but a complete discharge is usually more
>> harmful than helpful.
>> What kind of battery is this?
> 
> I am just curious about the possibility of doing it. I don't have a need
> for this right now.
> 
> What happen if someone threw a fully-charged into a cup of water? Or say
> some water spilled onto the full-charged battery...

Assuming the battery is waterproof: The negative ions in the water would
attach to the positive terminal, and the positive ions in the water
would attach to the negative terminal.  Depending on the ions, the
terminals would corrode.  Pure water is not a conductor.  Once the ions
are out of the water, all conduction stops.

Assuming the battery is _NOT_ waterproof:  Bad things happen.  They
range from leaking highly corrosive material into the cup to explosion.
 Not very pleasant for observers.

What is the real question behind this?

    -- Alma