Difference between revisions of "Create a Potato Battery"
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| − | Did you ever think that you could use a vegetable as a battery? Batteries produce electricity by passing electrons back and forth between two metal plates.<ref>http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/basics.htm</ref> What if you didn’t have a battery around, but had a potato? Potatoes contain phosphoric acid which can serve as the chemical solution necessary to transfer electrons back and forth between the metal plates.<ref>http://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/batteries/potato_battery.php</ref> By adding some metal to a potato, you can make a battery using just a few household items! | + | Did you ever think that you could use a vegetable as a battery? Batteries produce electricity by passing electrons back and forth between two metal plates.<ref name="rf1">http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/basics.htm</ref> What if you didn’t have a battery around, but had a potato? Potatoes contain phosphoric acid which can serve as the chemical solution necessary to transfer electrons back and forth between the metal plates.<ref name="rf2">http://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/batteries/potato_battery.php</ref> By adding some metal to a potato, you can make a battery using just a few household items! |
[[Category:Science for Kids]] | [[Category:Science for Kids]] | ||
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=== Making a Potato Battery === | === Making a Potato Battery === | ||
#Gather the necessary materials. To make a single potato battery you will need a potato, a galvanized nail, a copper coin, two alligator clip leads with clips on both ends, and a voltmeter. | #Gather the necessary materials. To make a single potato battery you will need a potato, a galvanized nail, a copper coin, two alligator clip leads with clips on both ends, and a voltmeter. | ||
| − | #* Galvanized nails are standard nails that have a zinc coating. <ref>http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-galvanized-nails.htm</ref> They can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store. | + | #* Galvanized nails are standard nails that have a zinc coating. <ref name="rf3">http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-galvanized-nails.htm</ref> They can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store. |
| − | #* Use a fresh potato as the experiment depends upon the juices inside the potato.<ref>http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p010.shtml#help</ref> | + | #* Use a fresh potato as the experiment depends upon the juices inside the potato.<ref name="rf4">http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p010.shtml#help</ref> |
| − | #Insert the galvanized nail near the middle of the potato. Push the nail into the potato until it is almost to the other side. It’s okay if you push it all the way through, just pull it back until it no longer sticks out of the other end.<ref>http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p010.shtml#procedure</ref> | + | #Insert the galvanized nail near the middle of the potato. Push the nail into the potato until it is almost to the other side. It’s okay if you push it all the way through, just pull it back until it no longer sticks out of the other end.<ref name="rf5">http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p010.shtml#procedure</ref> |
#* Some juice will come out of the potato during this step, but that’s okay. | #* Some juice will come out of the potato during this step, but that’s okay. | ||
#* Cover your work surface with plastic or newspaper to avoid getting potato juice everywhere. | #* Cover your work surface with plastic or newspaper to avoid getting potato juice everywhere. | ||
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#* If the nails do end up touching, simply reposition them so they are no longer touching. | #* If the nails do end up touching, simply reposition them so they are no longer touching. | ||
#* The distance between the nails does not need to be exactly one inch, but you want them to be close together. | #* The distance between the nails does not need to be exactly one inch, but you want them to be close together. | ||
| − | #Connect one clip to the copper coin and one lead of the voltmeter. The voltmeter should have a black lead and red lead. Connect the copper coin to the red lead of the voltmeter using the alligator clips.<ref> http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p010.shtml#procedure</ref> | + | #Connect one clip to the copper coin and one lead of the voltmeter. The voltmeter should have a black lead and red lead. Connect the copper coin to the red lead of the voltmeter using the alligator clips.<ref name="rf6"> http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p010.shtml#procedure</ref> |
#* Some voltmeters have black and yellow leads instead of black and red. In this case, use the yellow lead for this step. | #* Some voltmeters have black and yellow leads instead of black and red. In this case, use the yellow lead for this step. | ||
| − | #Connect the second clip to the galvanized nail and the remaining lead of the voltmeter. The galvanized nail should be connected to the black lead of the voltmeter.<ref | + | #Connect the second clip to the galvanized nail and the remaining lead of the voltmeter. The galvanized nail should be connected to the black lead of the voltmeter.<ref name="rf5" /> |
#* Make sure the alligator clip is securely attached to both the nail and the lead. | #* Make sure the alligator clip is securely attached to both the nail and the lead. | ||
#Check the reading on the voltmeter. You should see a small increase in voltage on the voltmeter. You may notice that the voltmeter is reading a negative value. If this is the case, simply switch the clips on the voltmeter leads and it should change to a positive voltage. | #Check the reading on the voltmeter. You should see a small increase in voltage on the voltmeter. You may notice that the voltmeter is reading a negative value. If this is the case, simply switch the clips on the voltmeter leads and it should change to a positive voltage. | ||
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=== Powering a Clock with Multiple Potato Batteries === | === Powering a Clock with Multiple Potato Batteries === | ||
#Gather your materials together. To make a potato battery you will need two galvanized nails, two copper coins, two potatoes, three alligator clip leads with clips on both ends, and a small clock. | #Gather your materials together. To make a potato battery you will need two galvanized nails, two copper coins, two potatoes, three alligator clip leads with clips on both ends, and a small clock. | ||
| − | #* Galvanized nails are regular nails that have a zinc coating that is necessary for this experiment.<ref | + | #* Galvanized nails are regular nails that have a zinc coating that is necessary for this experiment.<ref name="rf3" /> They can be found at a standard hardware or home improvement store. |
#* Copper coins, if needed, can also be found at a standard hardware or home improvement store. | #* Copper coins, if needed, can also be found at a standard hardware or home improvement store. | ||
#* It doesn’t matter what color your alligator clip leads are as long as they have clips on both ends. | #* It doesn’t matter what color your alligator clip leads are as long as they have clips on both ends. | ||
| − | #* Use firm and fresh potatoes. The liquid in the potatoes is necessary for this experiment, so dried out potatoes will not work.<ref | + | #* Use firm and fresh potatoes. The liquid in the potatoes is necessary for this experiment, so dried out potatoes will not work.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#* Remove the battery from the clock before you begin. | #* Remove the battery from the clock before you begin. | ||
| − | #Insert one galvanized nail into the middle of each potato. Using firm pressure, insert the nail into the potato until it almost reaches the other side. If you accidentally push it all the way through, don’t worry! Simply pull the nail back so it is no longer sticking out.<ref | + | #Insert one galvanized nail into the middle of each potato. Using firm pressure, insert the nail into the potato until it almost reaches the other side. If you accidentally push it all the way through, don’t worry! Simply pull the nail back so it is no longer sticking out.<ref name="rf5" /> |
#* Some potato juice may leak out while doing this, but it will not affect the experiment. | #* Some potato juice may leak out while doing this, but it will not affect the experiment. | ||
#* To make cleanup easier at the end, cover your work surface with newspaper or a plastic bag. | #* To make cleanup easier at the end, cover your work surface with newspaper or a plastic bag. | ||
| − | #Push one copper coin into each potato about one inch apart from the galvanized nail. Repeat the previous step with the copper coin, ensuring that it does not touch the galvanized nail.<ref | + | #Push one copper coin into each potato about one inch apart from the galvanized nail. Repeat the previous step with the copper coin, ensuring that it does not touch the galvanized nail.<ref name="rf5" /> |
#* At this point, each potato should have one galvanized nail and one copper coin inserted about an inch apart from each other. | #* At this point, each potato should have one galvanized nail and one copper coin inserted about an inch apart from each other. | ||
#* The exact distance between the nails is not important, you just want them to be close together without touching. | #* The exact distance between the nails is not important, you just want them to be close together without touching. | ||
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#* Finishing this step, the two potatoes should be attached to each other and the clock. | #* Finishing this step, the two potatoes should be attached to each other and the clock. | ||
#* Check to make sure that all of your clips are securely attached. | #* Check to make sure that all of your clips are securely attached. | ||
| − | #Attach one clip lead to the copper coin and the other clip to the positive side of the battery box. Look at the battery box and identify the (+) sign on one of the sides. Clip one end of the wire to this positive side. Take the other end and clip it to the copper coin in the first potato.<ref>http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p010.shtml#procedure </ref> | + | #Attach one clip lead to the copper coin and the other clip to the positive side of the battery box. Look at the battery box and identify the (+) sign on one of the sides. Clip one end of the wire to this positive side. Take the other end and clip it to the copper coin in the first potato.<ref name="rf7">http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p010.shtml#procedure </ref> |
#* Make sure the clip is securely attached to the nail and the battery box. | #* Make sure the clip is securely attached to the nail and the battery box. | ||
#* This makes the first connection in the circuit for the battery. | #* This makes the first connection in the circuit for the battery. | ||
| − | #Attach the second clip lead to the galvanized nail in the second potato and the negative side of the battery box. The other side of the battery box will have a (-) sign on it. Clip a new lead onto this negative end. Clip the other side of the lead onto the galvanized nail in the second potato.<ref | + | #Attach the second clip lead to the galvanized nail in the second potato and the negative side of the battery box. The other side of the battery box will have a (-) sign on it. Clip a new lead onto this negative end. Clip the other side of the lead onto the galvanized nail in the second potato.<ref name="rf7" /> |
#* Again, make sure to clip the leads on securely. | #* Again, make sure to clip the leads on securely. | ||
#* At this point, each potato should be connected to the clock, but not to each other. One wire should be attached to the copper coin on one potato and a second wire should be attached to the galvanized nail on the second potato. | #* At this point, each potato should be connected to the clock, but not to each other. One wire should be attached to the copper coin on one potato and a second wire should be attached to the galvanized nail on the second potato. | ||
