Science Projects on Lemon Acidity
Science projects on lemon acidity are fun, cheap and easy to demonstrate. The citrus acid in a lemon changes the properties of other objects, and the results can be presented as a science project or an experiment for the classroom. Lemons are inexpensive, and some of the best science projects are carried out on a budget.
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Electrical Charge From a Lemon
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Insert a zinc-coated nail into a lemon that is large and is not dried out. The sharp end of the nail should be in the center of the lemon where the pulp is thickest. On the other end of the lemon place a copper penny into the skin of the lemon so that only a small portion of the penny protrudes. The penny and the nail should not touch at all. The lemon becomes a low-powered battery because of the reaction of the copper, zinc and citric acid. The penny and the nail become the positive and the negative ends of a battery. Wires can be connected to a small light bulb, such as an LED light, and it should light up. If not enough voltage is created from one lemon, try stringing two or more of your "batteries" together to form a more powerful circuit.
Lemon Soap Expansion
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Lemon soap expansion is a great science project for young children. Measure a teaspoon of liquid dish-washing soap and a teaspoon of baking soda into a cup. You will see that nothing happens. Squeeze a lemon over the mixture, and the suds will expand quickly out of the cup and all over your hands. The citric acid in the lemon juice reacts with the baking soda and carbon dioxide is released. The carbon dioxide expands the soap and bubbles appear. In addition to producing carbon dioxide and a soapy mess, a small amount of sodium citrate will be produced.
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Invisible Lemon Ink
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Invisible ink is easy to make and is an entertaining science project. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon and a few drops of water into a bowl. Stir the mixture together with a spoon. Dip a cotton bud into the mixture of lemon juice and water and write a message on white paper. Wait for the mixture to dry on the paper; it should become invisible after it dries. If you want to read the message, hold it up to a light bulb. The lemon juice will oxidize because of the acidity and turn brown when heated by the light bulb, allowing you to read the message.
PH Levels of Acid
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A pH level is a measuring system of acids and bases. An experiment with lemon juice (citric acid), toilet bowl cleaner (hydrochloric acid) and vinegar (acetic acid) can be an exciting and informative science project. Find four different types of material. For example, a piece of wood, a piece of plastic, a brick and a banana. Place them where the liquid will not cause harm, like in your yard or on a cement patio. Pour a teaspoon of each liquid on each material. Make sure the liquids do not mix. Let the experiment sit for a day, protected from foul weather such as high winds or rain. You will see that each mixture of acid has reacted in some way with the material. Record your observations.
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Comments
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These sound like cool experiments. I once made the lemon battery that you mentioned. It actually worked!
