After watching a video on the incredibly large power of penny batteries, the class got into groups to make their own. Each group received about ten pennies (all made after 1986). These pennies are made from 7.5% zinc, 2.5% copper and are more purposeful because of this. We had to make a positive and negative side (like a battery) by removing the copper from one side. We went outside and scratched the pennies on the ground under our feet on the cement. When we finally achieved this as well as we could, we went back to class and cut 1 in. x 1 in. cardboard squares. Then we soaked them in a beaker of vinegar for a half minute or so. We then set penny by penny on to of a piece of foil and put the squares in-between the pennies. We ended up using seven pennies in our battery. The last penny was left uncovered because it was time to test our battery. We put one side of an LED (light emitting diode) on the foil and the other on top of the penny tower. The LED lit up bright like it was being powered like any store bought battery.
What I learned from this experiment is that battery power isn't as challenging to create as it seems, the most average unsuspecting parts can make a long lasting power source for something like an LED!
Below are some images of the battery and LED.
What I learned from this experiment is that battery power isn't as challenging to create as it seems, the most average unsuspecting parts can make a long lasting power source for something like an LED!
Below are some images of the battery and LED.