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Potato Battery Activity

Uncover how a potato can power a simple LED clock by creating a potato battery. Investigate the chemistry behind the reaction, energy transformation, and potential of alternative energy sources. Engage in fun activities to understand the components of a battery and experiment with different configurations to power the LED. Explore the oxidation and reduction reactions happening inside the potato battery. Evaluate the effectiveness of using other vegetables or fruits as energy sources. Learn about the chemical energy used in batteries and fuel cells, contributing to a sustainable future.

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Potato Battery Activity

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  1. Potato Battery Activity

  2. Potato Battery Activity • Part 1: Engage • How does a battery power something? • What is a battery made of? • What happens inside the battery that allows the electricity to come out of it? • Why does a battery stop working? What gets used up? • What kind of energy does a battery contain and what kind does it create? • Chemical, electrical, mechanical?

  3. Potato Battery Activity • Part 2: Explore • Supplies: • 2 potatoes • 2 pieces of copper wire • 2 nails • 3 alligator clips • 1 LED

  4. - + Potato Battery Activity • Part 2: Explore • Set-up: • Connect copper wire to + end and nail to –end of LED • Does the LED light up? How can we get more voltage?

  5. Potato Battery Activity • Part 2: Explore • Now make a series of connected batteries • How many potatoes do you need to power the LED? • What happens when you: • Change the direction of the LED? • Use only nails or only pennies? • Connect the potatoes in parallel?

  6. e- Potato Battery Explanation • Part 3: Explain • Does the potato actually power the clock? • What happens to the copper wire and zinc nail over time?

  7. Potatoes contain mild phosphoric acid (H3PO4)! Potato Battery Explanation • Part 3: Explain • What is the chemistry behind the reaction? • Oxidation at the zinc electrode: • Reduction at the copper electrode:

  8. Potato Battery Activity • Part 4: Evaluate • Could this work with other vegetables or fruits? • Is a potato a good alternate energy source?

  9. Potato Battery Activity • Part 5: Elaborate • What makes a battery stop working? What gets used up?

  10. Potato Battery Activity • Part 5: Elaborate • What else uses this type of chemical energy? • All batteries • Fuel cells http://www2.wwnorton.com/college/chemistry/gilbert/tutorials/ch17.htm

  11. Potato Battery Activity • Part 6: Summarize • Describe the energy transformation ? ? ?

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