Science Smarts: Alternative energy experiment
By Patty Rooks on August 10, 2024.
I know it may be too early to even think about it, But I had students this year ask me for some Science Fair ideas they could work on during the summer so they can get a head start. Personally, I think that this is a great idea! It is a great use of your down time over the summer break to investigate some different projects so you can narrow it down when I come and visit your classroom once school starts in September. If you are needing some help early or want to book me into your classroom for the fall, it is never to early to send me an email and I would be more than happy to help! This is a popular experiment for those young scientists that want to investigate alternative energy sources. Let’s get started! *Remember to ask an adult before you do any science experiment. Materials – Galvanized (zinc) nail – Sandpaper – Apple (orange, grapefruit – choose or try them all) – 18 gauge copper wire (it comes on a small roll) – Wire strippers (optional) – Scissors – Voltmeter – Ruler Procedure 1. Using the sandpaper, gently rub the end of the galvanized nail. Clean the surface well. 2. Measure and cut a 10cm strip of wire. 3. Strip the insulation off of each end (about 1cm). Use the wire strippers, but if you do not have them, carefully snip a little piece being careful not to go all of the way through the wire and then peel back the plastic with your fingernails. 4. Gently sand the ends of the copper wire just to clean them off. 5. Carefully push the nail into the apple. It does not have to be all of the way through about 2cm deep should be fine. 6. Push one end of the copper wire into the apple. It should be very close to the nail, but DO NOT touch the nail. 7. You now have two terminals in the apple battery! 8. Turn the voltmeter on. 9. Take the red lead from the voltmeter and touch it to either the nail or the wire. Use the black lead and touch it to the other terminal. 10. Read what the voltmeter says. Note: if it does not display anything, simply switch the leads, you have them backwards! What is going on? The voltage you read on the voltmeter is the amount of electricity the apple battery is producing. The juice of the apple acts as an electrolyte through which ions can flow. Although this type of fruit does not have enough power to light a bulb for instance, it is clearly producing electricity! Note: You should be able to purchase all materials listed in this experiment relatively inexpensively at a local hardware store. Mark your calendars, the Praxis AGM is fast approaching on Wednesday, Sept. 11. We are always looking for volunteer board members, so please consider joining us. If interested, please reach out to Patty for further details. Patty Rooks, senior scientific consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community.” Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: 12 826 11th Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca. 31-30
