Volts (or voltage) is a measurement of the force moving the electrons through our lemon battery. Until finally we have enough voltage to power a light bulb. It continues on, building energy with each additional cell we add.
![electric lemon electric lemon](https://id-test-11.slatic.net/p/43dd34d7ef0e2fb94b11831a6090c62f.jpg)
From there it goes into our alligator clip, along the wire, into the zinc plate on the next lemon, where it picks up more energy as it travels through that cell. So in our experiment electrons are flowing from our zinc plate, through the lemon juice to the copper plate. Electrons flow from the negative to the positive terminal.
![electric lemon electric lemon](https://img.hoodline.com/uploads/story/image/558748/Electric_Lemon_Photo_3_Enhanced.jpg)
Conductors are materials that allow electrons (and the electrical current) to flow through them. In our lemon battery, the copper plate is our positive cathode and the zinc plate the negative anode.Įlectric current is created by the flow of atomic particles called electrons. The zinc and copper plates are called electrodes, and the lemon juice is our electrolyte.Īll batteries have a “+” (known as the cathode) and a “-” (known as the anode) terminal. To do this we need electrodes to capture the energy from our electrolyte.
![electric lemon electric lemon](https://id-test-11.slatic.net/p/f08de49673b92a4cc33059b5a040690d.jpg)
With a lemon battery we are capturing that energy and using it to light up a LED. How does a lemon battery work? The science behind how food can power a light bulb is really fascinating. Watch as I go through the whole experiment step by step. See all the amazing things your young scientist can do with MEL Science. We LOVE MEL Science, it is one of our favourite educational subscription boxes. MEL Science does Lemon Batteries as one of their monthly experiments. Looking for a quick out of the box solution? Copper wire can also be used, and a search of your local hardware store is likely to produce other copper and zinc items you could test in your experiment. Lemons! Insider tip, you need at least 4 to create enough energy, but why not grab extras and experiment?Īlligator clips with wires (2 per cell, so minimum 8 if you are creating a 4 cell battery)Ĭopper and Zinc plates are invaluable in our science experiments, but if you don’t have them, you can use copper pennies (the older the better) and zinc plated (aka galvanized) nails. Note: These food based battery experiments produce low voltage and are safe for older, responsible children to do under adult supervision. So when we went grocery shopping and there was a huge pile of fresh, juicy looking lemons on display the kids asked to buy some for lemonade, but I knew we had another science experiment in our future. Plus, when a child starts a science experiment with serious doubts, yet still achieves success, it powers up their curiosity! Why? Because it makes things real that they can’t otherwise see.
![electric lemon electric lemon](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c8/f4/d4/c8f4d49aa23d75e7b3225641d45332a6.png)
Then, once they stopped straining their eyeballs, we built a potato battery and it worked! These kinds of science experiments for kids really stick with them. You should have seen the looks on their faces! Serious side eye was thrown my way. Normally our circuits are powered by batteries, but one day I convinced the kids we could power a light bulb with nothing but a potato. That energy isn’t just some crazy weird thing that I babble on about, it is this very real power that is showing itself right in front of them. When we can power a light bulb with that energy it suddenly makes it very real for my kids. We often talk around here about the energy in nature and in everything around us. Not seeing our videos? Turn off any adblockers to ensure our video feed can be seen. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclaimer: This article may contain commission or affiliate links.