An acid is corrosive, reacting with other substances upon contact. The reaction’s power depends on the item mixed with the acid, especially if its combined with equally reactive substances. Lemon happens to bear high levels of acidity that, when enhanced, can create enough force to power small gadgets. Make a lemon battery and be amazed.
The Logic Behind the Charge
An acid produces an electric current when it comes in contact with two dissimilar elements. The acid acts as an electrolyte, as it powers and conducts a charge between the two opposing substances. The lemon fruit comes as a makeshift battery, since it has an ample supply of lemon juice to produce substantial amounts of energy.
Making the Lemon Battery
lemonsBefore making the lemon battery, you must prepare the two opposing metals. A copper coin and a galvanized nail are good examples, given the charge that both substances can produce. They are readily available, so producing them shouldn’t be a problem.
Materials Used:
large lemons
copper coin
galvanized nail
knife
volt meter
copper wire (optional)
Procedure:
lemon battery
Get one or a few large lemons.
Stick the galvanized nail at the top of the lemon. Use a knife to create an opening, if the nail is not sharp enough to puncture the lemon rind.
Slice a slit, which can fit the copper coin halfway.
Fit the copper coin into the slit, to create your lemon battery.
Once done, use a volt meter to confirm if the battery is producing electric currents. If it does, the next step is to power an electrical item.
Hook up the battery to a small light bulb or a simple electronic device like a calculator.
If the battery fails to come up with enough power, create several lemon batteries. Connect them using copper wire, which is hooked up to the coins and nails of all the batteries.
Hook up the copper wire to the device, powering it upon connection.
In place of the galvanized nail, you can use a zinc tablet, which produces a similar effect. Rub the tablet with sandpaper to enhance its potency, before affixing it to the makeshift battery.
A Handy Device
The lemon battery can be used as an emergency source of power in the event of an outage. You can also create a series, which will be used as science projects. Whichever the case, knowing how to create a lemon battery can always come in handy. If you want to know other uses of lemon, read 15 alternative uses for lemon.