Voltaic batteries turn chemical energy into the electrical energy we use to power electronics. With this science experiment, student can create their own voltaic batteries using ordinary items.
Materials:
- Distilled white vinegar
- 5 pieces of copper wire
- 5 galvanized nails
- Ice tray
- 1 LED light
- Adult supervision
Instructions:
- Wrap a nail with a piece of copper wire, leaving a section of wire extending from below the head of the nail.
- Repeat Step 1 with the remaining 4 nails and 4 pieces of copper wire.
- Fill 6 wells of an ice tray with distilled white vinegar.
- Create a circuit by inserting each nail into a well of vinegar while placing the extended wire into the next well.
- Place one “leg” of an LED light into the well with only a copper wire inside it and place the other LED “leg” into the well with only a nail in it. If the bulb lights up, you nailed it! If the bulb doesn’t light up, flip the legs around!
Source: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/ice-tray-battery/
