We rely on batteries to power a wide variety of everyday items. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the typical person uses a dozen or more battery-operated gadgets every day. Batteries are used in everything from cars and watches to mobile phones and fire alarms to forklifts and even pacemakers and other life-saving equipment.
Everyone would tell you to head to the nearest convenience store if you asked where you could purchase a battery. But did you know that simple household materials may be used to create batteries? This handmade battery won’t power a tablet, but it should be able to handle powering a small device.
Materials:
– A plastic cup (any size will do)
– A tbs of salt
– A narrow strip of aluminium (aluminum foil will work)
– A thin sheet of zinc
– 2 Alligator claw clips
– A voltage meter
– electrical tape
Step 1 – Voltage Meter
A voltage meter is a tiny gadget with two wires that run from it to wherever you need to measure voltage (a red one and a black one). The ends of these wires will be finished with tiny metal terminals. Typically, the positive end of a battery, circuit, etc. is where you’ll touch the red terminal of a voltage meter, while the negative end will be touched by the black terminal.
Unfortunately, that won’t be applicable in this situation. Instead, a minor adjustment to the voltage meter is required. Use the electrical tape to secure an alligator clip to the positive wire. Only tape one side of the clip to the terminal so that it may be opened easily.
The opposite terminal requires the same treatment.
It’s time to connect the voltage meter to something, so open the alligator clips on both ends.
Step 2 –
Fill the plastic cup with water and add a tablespoon of salt.
Step 3 – Take the strip
You should fold over a quarter of your copper strip. Hook the folded end of the strip over the rim of the cup so that some of it remains above the water while you dunk the rest of the strip into the cup. A small portion of the strip should protrude beyond the lip of the cup.
Check if the majority of the strip is submerged; if not, you may need to add extra liquid.
Hook the zinc strip over the rim of the cup in a similar fashion, folding over about a quarter of it.
Step 4 – Connect to Voltage Meter
You can use an alligator clip to connect one terminal to the exposed copper strip outside the cup. The second terminal should be connected to the zinc strip.
Alligator clips should be kept out of water.
Step 5 – Testing Phase
Check the voltage output of your DIY saltwater battery by switching on the voltmeter. The voltmeter reading should be about 750 millivolts. Read the manual that came with the voltage meter if you need help using it.
Congratulations you have successfully created a battery at home. Isn’t it exciting? Your kids would have been impressed with this experiment. Xperimentor Science is here to give you the same excitement with their science experiment kits. Let your child’s journey of science. begin with us as we believe we can inspire a new generation of scientists and creators.
