Lemon battery: Difference between revisions
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 03:02, 1 June 2011
A lemon battery is a device used in experiments proposed in many science textbooks around the world.[1] It is made by inserting two different metallic objects, for example a galvanized nail and a copper coin, into a lemon. The copper coin serves as the positive electrode or cathode and the galvanized nail as the electron-producing negative electrode or anode. These two objects work as electrodes, causing an electrochemical reaction which generates a small potential difference.
Overview
The aim of this experiment is to show students how batteries work. After the battery is assembled, a multimeter can be used to check the generated voltage. In order for a more visible effect to be produced, a few lemon cells connected in series can be used to power a standard red LED. Flashlight bulbs are generally not used because the lemon battery cannot produce the amount of current required to light such bulbs. Digital clocks can work well, and some toymakers offer small kits with a clock that can be powered by two potatoes or lemons.
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4 Lemon Circuit (How to video:<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY9qcDCFeVI Create a Lemon Battery -
Diagram
Energy source
The energy for the battery does not come from the lemon or potato, but rather the chemical change in the zinc (or other metal). The zinc is oxidized inside the lemon, exchanging some of its electrons in order to reach a lower energy state, and the energy released provides the power.[2] The lemon or potato merely provides an environment where this can happen, but they are not used up in the process.
In current practice, zinc is produced by electrowinning of zinc sulfate or pyrometallurgic reduction of zinc with carbon. The energy produced originates from this source.
Calculations
Assuming that zinc and copper electrodes are used (such as a copper coin and a zinc plated nail) then a lemon could generate approximately 0.9 Volts.
As an example, if we make some assumptions about the acidity of the lemon and the size of the electrodes, a current of 0.0003 amps could be produced.
1 lemon = 0.9 volts x 0.0003 amps = 0.00027 watts
Flashlight bulb = 2.4 volts x 0.5 amps = 1.2 watts, or about 5,000 lemons (three series banks of 1700 in parallel)
Halogen bulb = 12 volts x 0.83 amps = 10 watts, or about 37,000 lemons (13 series banks of 2800 in parallel)
Red LED bulb = 1.7 volts x 0.0005 amps = 0.00085 watts, or three lemons in series
Reactions
In a lemon battery, both oxidation and reduction occur. Consider the case of a zinc-copper battery; this battery is similar to the original "simple voltaic cells" invented by Alessandro Volta.[3] At the anode, metallic zinc is oxidised, and enters the acidic solution as Zn2+ ions:
- Zn → Zn2+ + 2 e-.
At the copper cathode, hydrogen ions (solvated protons from the acidic solution) are reduced to form molecular hydrogen:
- 2H++ 2e- → H2.
Variations
Potatoes,[4] apples, sauerkraut, or any other fruit or vegetable containing acid or other electrolyte can be used, but lemons are preferred because of their higher acidity.[5] In potatoes, for instance, the electrolyte is phosphoric acid, while in lemons it is citric acid. Other non-rusty metal combinations (such as magnesium-copper) are more effective; for example, using a magnesium strip instead of zinc increases the voltage from 0.9 volts to 1.3 volts with magnesium. However, zinc and copper are usually preferred because they are reasonably safe and easy to obtain.
See also
References
- ^ Lemon Battery
- ^ Observations on Lemon Cells, J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (4), p 516
- ^ Oon, Hock Leong (2007). Chemistry Expression: An Inquiry Approach. Panpac Education Pte Ltd. p. 236. ISBN 9789812711625.
- ^ "Potato Battery". Archived from the original on April 15, 2009.
- ^ Food Batteries