Lemon Juice Battery
“Juice” is a slang term sometimes used for electricity. Batteries are made up of one or more cells. Cells often consist of two different materials in a solution and connected to each other by a wire. In this experiment, you will study some basic principles of cells using the juice of a lemon as the cell solution. You will place small pieces of two different materials into the lemon, and a computer will be used to measure and display the voltages produced.
PRODUCT INFO
This U-PIK will include enough materials for six student groups. Suggested group size is 2-3 students. The U-PIK will include the following:
- 6 differential voltage probes
- 6 LabQuest 2 interfaces
- 6 pieces of sandpaper
- 6 copper electrodes
- 6 aluminum electrodes
- 6 zinc electrodes
- 6 magnesium strips
NOTE: YOU WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN YOUR OWN LEMONS. Lemons will not be provided for this labortory experiment.
WHEN TO INTEGRATE?
The voltage probe can be easily used to support the concept of electricity and voltage at the fundamental level. This experiment can be included when first discussing electrochemistry and how batteries work.
No mathematical calculations are required for this experiment. Students may compare their values to a standard cell potential chart (if required by the instructor). Due to its introductory nature, the laboratory can be introduced in a middle school science classroom.
Since students are only recording voltage this laboratory can easily be completed in one lab period.
Time: One day (suggested).
Student Level:
BEGINNER (Grades 5-12)
Voltage Probe User Manual
Lab Experiment: Preview Document
Lemon Battery Video