How to Build a Clorox Bleach Battery

The Clorox Bleach battery

Batteries can be constructed using common household materials. It's all a matter of chemistry: When acids are present in a solution, ions are produced. When two dissimilar metals are introduced into the solution, an electric current forms between them, producing electricity. Create a bleach battery the next time you need a science fair project.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic cup
• Water
• Salt
• Vinegar
• Clorox bleach (or other household chlorine bleach)
• Pencil
• Two 12- to 18-inch pieces of 20-gauge insulated wire
• Wire strippers
• Aluminum foil
• Uncoated iron nail
• Multimeter

Instructions

1. Fill a plastic or other nonmetallic cup about 2/3 to 3/4 full with tap water. Add the following: 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of vinegar and about 1 teaspoon of household bleach (Clorox Bleach works well).

2. Place a pencil or small dowel rod on the rim of the glass so that it makes a "bridge" that extends over the top of the cup.

3. Take two 12- to 18-inch pieces of insulated wire (20-gauge works well) and use wire strippers to remove about 1 inch of insulation from both ends of the wires.

4. Take one wire and wrap the bare end around the head end of a nail. Wrap the wire around the pencil so that the nail is suspended in the bleach solution.

5. Wrap the second wire onto a strip of aluminum foil. Then wrap the wire around the pencil so that the foil strip is suspended in the bleach solution.

6. Your battery is complete. To measure the voltage output, connect the wire ends to a multimeter. The output will be low, but in some cases, you may be able to power a small device with this battery or a series of interconnected batteries.

Tips & Warnings

• Try different metals in the bleach solution to see what difference you get in electricity output.

References

• The Complete Handbook of Science Fair Projects; Julianne Blair Bochinski; 2003
• 55 Easy-to-build Electronic Projects; no author; 1986