Experiment Lemonlight
We are on a mission. A mission possible! In this Experiment we try to make a battery out of lemons
and other things. You can easily check out if this really works. (The construction kit for this
experiment can be ordered in the internet)
Funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union
FP7 – Knowledge-based Bio-Economy (KBBE)
How does it work?
Alessandro Volta made the first functioning electric battery in around the year 1800. An electric
battery is a device that converts chemical energy into electric energy. If two metals (copper and zinc)
are emerged in an acid solution (lemon juice) the passage of electrons occurs (electric current).
Let’s make a digital clock function thanks to the chemical reaction between the acid of a lemon and
two metals.
ATTENTION: THE EXPERIMENT SHOULD BE CONDUCTED
WITH ADULT SUPERVISION and DO NOT EAT THE FOOD!!!
Funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union
FP7 – Knowledge-based Bio-Economy (KBBE)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A BIO-BATTERY?
1 digital clock connected to 2 metal wires, 2 small copper plates, 2 small zinc plates, 1 metal wire, 2
potatoes, 2 lemons, 2 apples, 2 small pieces of polystyrene, 2 glasses containing a small amount of
gravel, tape
Funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union
FP7 – Knowledge-based Bio-Economy (KBBE)
WHAT TO DO?
Connect one of the metal wires on the clock to the copper plate. Connect the other metal wire on
the clock to the zinc plate. Connect one end of the metal wire to the copper plate and the other to
the zinc plate. If necessary fix all the connections with the tape.
Now insert the copper plate into one of the lemons, insert the zinc plate into the other lemon, Insert
the zinc plate into the first lemon, insert the copper plate into the second lemon.
The lemon battery works!
Funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union
FP7 – Knowledge-based Bio-Economy (KBBE)
WHAT HAPPENS?
The clock starts to work.
WHY?
A chemical reaction occurs between the lemon juice and the zinc plate. The electrons of the zinc
atoms collect on the surface making it negative. They flow in the circuit along the metal wires
towards the copper plate that becomes positively charged because it loses electrons in the acid. The
flow of electrons feeds the clock that starts to function. All batteries contain 2 metal electrodes
(plates of copper and zinc) separated by a conducting substance, an electrolyte (the lemon juice).
Repeat the same experiment with the apples, the potatoes, the polystyrene
and the gravel!
Funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union
FP7 – Knowledge-based Bio-Economy (KBBE)
Potatoes: the clock works!
Funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union
FP7 – Knowledge-based Bio-Economy (KBBE)
Polystyrene: the clock doesn’t work!
WHAT HAPPENS?
Sometimes the clock functions, sometimes it doesn’t.
WHY?
There is no reaction when the substance separating the electrodes does not react with the metal
plates. In case of the food the fruit acid is the substance which generates a chemical reaction.
Funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union
FP7 – Knowledge-based Bio-Economy (KBBE)
HOW CAN YOU PRODUCE RENEWABLE ENERGY?
Energy is not generated only by non-renewable and polluting fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum.
It can also be generated by plant organisms or, more specifically, by the chemical substances they
contain. Over the last few years, along with the traditional sources of renewable energy – water,
wind, sun and geothermal – a lot of research has been conducted on biomasses and their uses:
energy sources deriving from plant organisms (biodiesel, biogas, biofuels etc.).
CONGRATULATIONS!
THE MISSION IS POSSIBLE!
Funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union
FP7 – Knowledge-based Bio-Economy (KBBE)