Things You'll Need:
- Sheet metal sheers
- Corrosion-free copper sheeting
- All-metal thongs
- Gas burner
- Plastic scouring pad
- Electrical alligator clips with wiring.
- Clear jar
- Salt
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Step 1
Examine the copper sheeting thoroughly for signs of corrosion. If there are any, either do not use those parts of the sheeting, or clean them before using them.
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Step 2
Use the sheet metal sheers to cut two rectangular strips from the copper sheeting. These need to fit into the jar without touching.
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Step 3
Switch the burner to its highest setting and use it to heat one of the copper strips to red hot. A layer of black oxide should form on the top. When this is done, remove it with the tongs and let it cool for at least 20 minutes.
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Step 4
Scrape the black oxide off by gently using the plastic scouring pad. Take care to not remove any of the reddish-pink oxide underneath.
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Step 5
Insert the both the "cooked" and "uncooked" strip into the jar, so that they bend to conform to the jar's curvature. This should be easy, as copper is very malleable.
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Step 6
Clip the alligator clips on. The black, negative clip goes to the "cooked" strip, and the red, positive clip goes to the "uncooked" strip.
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Step 7
Run the wiring from the clips to the light fixture and attach them.
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Step 8
Mix a salt water solution. Use warm water, and stir in salt until the salt stops dissolving. This will create a supersaturated solution.
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Step 9
Fill the jar up about two-thirds of the way.
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Step 10
Place the jar in full sunlight. Under those conditions, it should produce enough power to light a 10 watt bulb.
