That's essentially correct, as I understand it, Bob, but I'm a ways from my training in that area.
I seem to recall that effect called a "surface charge" -- it can make a completely dead car battery read 12 VDC to a voltmeter. It has the voltage, but no current to back it up for any appreciable time. At a guess (my training didn't even include the theory behind this in the first place), it's a matter of electrons collecting at the (negative) contact point and showing an increased potential. Perhaps there's an actual practicing EE out there who can expand on the bits this thoroughly non-practicing, former EET mis-remembers.
