How to Make a Lemon Battery

An ordinary lemon is the basis for a popular science project: the lemon battery.

Create an electric battery out of a lemon. The acidity of the lemon juice is an important component. Batteries are made by placing two different metals into an acidic solution.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Juicy lemon
• Penny
• Zinc tablet or galvanized nail
• Sandpaper

1. Rub the a penny and a zinc tablet or a galvanized nail with sandpaper until they're clean and smooth.

2. Roll the lemon under your hands against a countertop to loosen up its juices. Be careful not to break the peel.

3. Slice two slits into one side of of the lemon, about 1 inch apart.

4. Insert the penny in one slit and the zinc tablet or nail in the other.

5. Touch the penny and the other object. Your body completes the current of the voltaic cell lemon battery.

Tips & Warnings

• The current is not strong enough to light an incandescent bulb, but you should be able to feel it.

• Use caution when touching electrically charged items.

References

• Hila - Outdoor Centre & Educational Resources: Lemon Battery