Hybrid Technologies

Electrons polarize on the negative terminal of the battery. If a wire is connected between the negative and positive terminals, the electrons will flow from the negative to the positive terminal as fast as they can (wearing out the battery very quickly - this also tends to be dangerous, especially with larger batteries, so it is not recommended). Normally, you connect some type of load to the battery using the wire. The load might be something like a light bulb, a motor, or an electronic circuit like a radio.

Inside the battery itself, a chemical reaction produces the electrons. The speed of electron production by this chemical reaction (the battery's internal resistance) controls how many electrons can flow between the terminals. Electrons flow from the battery into a wire, and must travel from the negative to the positive terminal for the chemical reaction to take place. That is why a battery can sit on a shelf for a year and still have plenty of power - unless electrons are flowing from the negative to the positive terminal, the chemical reaction does not occur. However, once you connect a wire, the reaction begins.