Vinegar Batteries

Vinegar Batteries

Students make their own electrochemical cells using vinegar and common household metals. Using a multimeter, students measure the current flowing through their circuits. In groups, students connect their cells in series to create a battery and light up an LED.

Introduction

One way of creating an electric current is by using something called an electrochemical cell. Electrochemical cells use stored chemical energy to move electrons.

One way to measure the strength of a battery is to measure its voltage. Voltage is the amount of potential energy available to move electrons from one part of a circuit to another.

If we put many cells together, we can cause enough electrons to move through the circuit that we can light up a lamp, turn on the TV or play the stereo. More than one cell together is called a battery.

Eventually, the cells will run out of chemicals. We need to dispose of commercially-made cells at a recycling facility or recharge them. 

 Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Describe the parts of a complete circuit and explain the path of electron flow
• Measure voltage of an electrochemical cell

Entire Activity

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Other Resources

Full Lesson & other activities - Alternative Energy

Science World Electricity Online Games

Science World School Programs - Electricity