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School Experiments Using Electrolytes to Power a Light Bulb

Electrolytes are defined as any solution that can conduct ions, thereby producing electricity. Although commonly thought of as being found in sports drinks and performance products, electrolytes are any acid, base or salt, and can be found in many fruits and vegetables. Electrolytes act as a catalyst to generate an electric current when in direct contact with metal electrodes, which are conductors of electricity. The chemical reaction that is initiated between the electrolyte and electrode generates enough energy to power a small light bulb. You can show this reaction using a variety of metals as electrodes and experimenting with different fruits, vegetables or homemade salt solutions as electrolytes.

  1. Lemon Power

    • Stick a 1,2-by-2-inch piece of zinc metal in a lemon to create a negative electrode. On the opposite side, stick a 1.2-by-2-inch piece of copper metal into the lemon to create a positive electrode, so that it does not contact the zinc. Connect an LED light bulb to the two electrodes with a piece of copper wire. Connect the wire on the flat side of the bulb to the negative electrode and the wire on the rounded side of the bulb to the positive electrode.

    Potato Power

    • Wrap two copper pennies with copper wire. Cut a large potato in half and make a small slit in each half to place each penny into. Place one nail in each potato half on the opposite side of the penny. Connect a wire from one penny to the nail on the other potato half. Wrap the wire around the nail several times. Take a final piece of wire and wrap it around the remaining nail. Touch a LED lightbulb with the ends of the wires wrapped around each nail and penny pair.

    Saltwater Power

    • Wrap two tongue depressors in aluminum foil to act as electrodes. Cut three 6-inch pieces of insulated copper wire and strip the insulation off of each end. Connect one end of a wire to the positive end of battery and hold it in place with masking tape. Connect the other end to the negative end of the battery, and secure it with tape. Take a second piece of wire and connect it to a 3.7-volt light bulb and to the top of an aluminum foil electrode. Use the final piece of wire to connect the negative end of the battery to the other electrode. Place the electrodes in a cup of water mixed with a few teaspoons of salt to make the bulb light up.

    Copper Sulfate Power

    • Secure a 2-by-4-inch sheet of copper and a 2-by-4-inch sheet of zinc to the sides of a plastic cup by bending the sides and folding it over the rim of the cup. The zinc and copper sheets will act as your electrodes. Using two wires, connect the electrodes to a 1.2-volt lightbulb with alligator clips. Temporarily remove the zinc sheet and fill the cup with 1.76 ounces of copper sulfate and 10 cc of 10 percent sulfuric acid. Replace the zinc sheet to watch the lightbulb light up.

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