Why Do K+ ions Want To Leave The Cell?

[SyrianHero]

I know the K+ ion concentration is greater inside compared to the outside of the cell, but wouldn't the relatively positive extracellular matrix (compared to the inside of the cell) repel the K+ ions and they would therefore remain in the cell?

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[Mad Jack]

The marginal voltage difference isn't enough to fight the osmotic gradient. It's pretty tiny, really.

 

[shefv]

For K+, there is an outward concentration gradient and an inward electrical gradient, so some K+ leaves the cell down its concentration gradient. K+ moving out through the leak channels is an example of passive transport where K+ is moving down its concentration gradient and the net movement will stop when the outward concentration gradient = inward electrical gradient.