Penny Battery

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In this activity, learners light an LED with five cents. Learners use two different metals and some sour, salty water to create a cheap battery. Learners also have the option of checking the voltage of their battery if a voltmeter is available.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 18
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Electrical Engineering
    • Technology
  • Physical Sciences
    • Electricity and Magnetism
      • Electric Charges and Currents
      • Electric Circuits
    • Energy
    • Chemistry
      • Chemical Reactions
      • Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
      • Solutions
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Atomic Structure
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
  • The Nature of Technology
    • Technology and Society
      • Technology and History
    • The Design Process
      • Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Informal Categories

  • Electronics

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Yu, Julie

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Exploratorium, 2008

Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation, 0610238
  • National Science Foundation, 0925383