Science

You can use light emitting diodes (LED) in many applications to provide status lights and illumination. LEDs are true diodes, meaning that they will only conduct electricity in one direction. LEDs...

Technology for electricity has evolved over time, but the basic principles of positive and negative charges can be demonstrated by creating a simple battery with supplies around the house and from...

Batteries are tiny, self-contained chemistry laboratories. Feed a battery with power and its electrons get packed into one side, thus storing energy like a wound spring. These chemical reactions...

Batteries come in many different types. The most popular one is that of a dry cell. Dry cells are found in various devices such as toys, cameras, radios, and desktop computers. A multimeter is a...

An electromagnet requires an electrical current to work. When an electromagnet is disconnected from its power source, it is no longer magnetic. The huge cranes that pick up metal in junkyards work...

A volt is has been the common term of measurement of electric potential under the International System of Units for more than 100 years. Commonly used and commonly misunderstood, voltage is not a...

There are several options to determine the polarity of a magnet, that is, which end is the north pole and which end is the south. The basic strategy is comparison: seeing how it behaves around...

DeWalt's rechargeable 18V batteries, which feature a nickel-cadmium power cell, give you the power to take on professional-grade building and remodeling projects without the hassle of an extension...

Rust accumulates on many types of iron alloys that are exposed to air. Oxygen from the atmosphere gradually binds with the iron in the metal to form various iron oxides, all of which are forms of...

Oftentimes, boat owners may need to add a second battery to operate all of the extra electronic equipment added to a boat. To run your boat with two batteries, you need to connect the second one...

Twin batteries need to be connected in parallel in a boat, meaning the positive terminal from the first battery has to go to the positive of the second, and the negative to the negative. This will...

The terms "marine" and "deep cycle" often give marketing information for batteries rather than specifications for use. A boat dealer would sell a marine battery for a pleasure boat for both...

The choice to use a silver oxide or an alkaline battery won't be available in many cases. The cost of large silver oxide batteries, if they could be found, would be so expensive that they would...

Batteries are collections of cells that produce electricity through chemical reactions. While batteries vary in size and power, they all work essentially the same--one chemical reacting with...

Lithium batteries began appearing in the early 1990's. They have the highest energy density of all rechargeable batteries. But due to safety concerns, developers had to incorporate special...

When they were introduced, nickel-metal-hydride, or NiMH, batteries were an improvement over nickel cadmium and other rechargeable batteries. But because of limitations and the development of...

From a child connecting a battery, switch and light in a simple circuit to an adult building robots, the field of electronics provides an entertaining, hands on hobby, accessible to all ages. This...

The names "auto" (or automotive) and "marine" primarily give marketing information for batteries rather than specifications for use. Both cars and a speed boats need a battery to start, but the...

Thanks to modern technology, the motorcycle owner now has the option to buy a gel cell battery to no longer have the risk of spilled acid in an accident or during maintenance. That may not be the...

Battery cells can be divided into three major types: electrolytic cells, electromechanical cells and photoelectric cells. Most cells produce only a few volts, but some produce more. The term...

Electroplating is a chemical process that coats a conductive object with another material using electrical current. The electrical current reduces one material and causes it to precipitate onto...

Making an electromagnet is a quick and simple way to learn about electricity and magnetism and how they interact. All you need are just a few items that are probably lying around your house...

Nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride batteries are similar in composition but have several key differences in terms of properties and uses. Both have a nickel electrode that can regain...

To reduce a 9V battery to 3.3 volts, use a zener diode, such as a 1N746 or a 1N4728A. Choose the appropriate one based on how much power it can dissipate. A 1N4728A has a 3.3-volt and a 1 W power...

If you've got a drawer or bag full of batteries all mixed together, it's impossible to tell just by looking at them which ones are "good" and which ones are long past being useful. Buying a...

The Theremin was invented by Leon Theremin in 1919 and is one of the worlds first electronic musical instruments. Building your own Theremin is not the simplest electronic musical instrument...

A reed switch is a device built to work with magnets. When it is placed near a magnetic field, two thin ferrous strips inside of it connect and close the switch. Magnet switches are useful because...

Batteries store electrical power so that devices that require electricity can operate even in the absence of a live power source such as a wall outlet. Batteries store electrical power through the...

Battery acid, for example sulfuric acid, is hard to clean up and can eat through surfaces and cause other irreparable damage. So, what are you supposed to do when that inevitable leak happens?...

Decades ago, when solar power first appeared, it was seen as a curious piece of technology that required a huge investment, technical expertise to install and sacrifices to live with. Today, solar...

Batteries are a great, modern convenience. Nearly all of the small, electronic devices we carry around every day--MP3 players, digital cameras, PDAs, cell phones--use batteries to keep them...

Several factors affect the life of rechargeable batteries, but the most significant is correct battery charging. Other factors include the type and quality of the battery, its discharge rate and...

The most significant factors affecting the life of an AAA battery include the type and quality of the battery, its application and its amount or frequency of use. The environment, especially...

Many battery choices are available today for almost all applications. But the choices between wet cell and dry cell are limited. In most cases, portable devices do not have this option. The most...

Two of the battery types that you are most familiar with, perhaps without even knowing it, are the lead acid battery and the lithium ion battery. Most cars in America carry a lead acid battery...

A lemon battery requires an acidic fruit (lemon), a penny, a piece of zinc or a steel paper clip, two wires and a voltage meter. Two slits in the lemon hold the penny and and piece of zinc, each...

You can easily identify a direct current (abbreviated "DC") circuit when you know what to look for. It is the basic building block of modern electronic gadgets. Let's briefly explore the history...

In an electromagnet, a magnetic field is generated around a piece of metal wrapped in copper wire by the flow of electricity through the coiled wire. Electromagnets were design by a danish...

Traditional batteries have two sides, the anode and the cathode, which work together to hold an electrical charge. The battery is slowly used as the charge passes from one side to the other, and...

Besides the fact that this technique makes a great science lesson; it can also be useful when camping, hiking or on road trips. Since a nine volt battery and steel wool take up only a small amount...

A battery is an essential part of many gas-powered vehicles, providing needed electrical power to start the engine. Batteries consist of a plastic container that holds positive and negative lead...

Clean energy projects can help the green-conscious DIYer balance having a green lifestyle while still enjoying the many technological gadgets that appear from year to year. Harnessing the power of...

The composition of a battery differs depending on the type--alkaline, lithium or zinc chloride. Batteries come in all shapes and sizes and are available in a wide range of strengths, in terms of...

A dry cell is a form of electric battery and is one of the most common types of batteries used today. A typical dry cell is a simple flashlight battery. Dry cells consist of a metal container or...

Who knew that fruit could generate power? A battery created from a simple, everyday lemon illustrates quite well how electricity works. The lemon battery is a favorite of science fair participants...

Electroplating can be great fun and it has a lot of practical uses. One use is as a science project to teach students the basic principles of chemistry. Electroplating is perhaps best used in the...

Having a green lifestyle while still enjoying the benefits of the wide array of gadgets out there can be a tricky balancing act. Trading in disposable batteries for rechargeable ones is a step in...

Lights are very simple electrical components and represent an ideal beginner direct current (DC) project. While household lighting involves powerful, high-amperage electricity, battery-operated...

The Geiger counter, invented in the early 1900s, is an essential tool for safely managing radioactive materials. It's rugged, portable, and simple to operate. As with most equipment, its best...

As little Timmy opens his first Christmas present, the sound of excitement fills the room, but the bright red radio control truck doesn't work without its counterpart, the simple D-Cell battery....