How to Make a Light Bulb Work With a Potato

A potato contains phosphoric acid (H3PO4), which reacts with both copper and zinc. That chemical reaction creates free electrons, and those electrons can flow from one chemical reaction to the other, which is the basis for electrical current. One potato cannot generate a lot of electrical current (usually less than 1.5 Volts DC current), but if you use a small bulb, like an LED light, a single potato can actually provide enough electricity to light that bulb.

Things You'll Need

• Potato (at least one) galvanized nail copper penny or solid-core copper wire two thin wires (strands are better than solid-core) very small lightbulb

Instructions

1. Stick the end of the nail into the potato. This will start a chemical reaction that will create electrons.

2. Wrap half the copper penny in wire, or use the solid-core copper wire. Stick the penny or copper wire into another section of the potato. This will start another chemical reaction.

3. Wrap one piece of wire around the galvanized nail.

4. Attach the wire from the galvanized nail to one pole on the lightbulb.

5. Attach the wire from the copper penny or solid-core wire to the other pole of the lightbulb. This will light the bulb, if it is of low enough wattage.

Tips & Warnings

• To generate more current use more potatoes set up in series. The current created here is very small and will not light a household light bulb. LED lights work better. Tomato, or lemon and other citrus fruit can also be used in place of the potato.