Learn the science behind electrical power. Use natural materials to power a light bulb, a watch and activate a music chip! Create batteries from fruit juice, vegetables coins and much more. Everything is included except what you choose as your battery power! Suggested age range 8+
The enviro battery works by immersing a pair (or pairs) of connected zinc and copper plates into an aqueous medium such as a potato, mud, water, or a piece of fruit. The zinc plate is the negative electrode; the copper plate is the positive electrode. When the metals are immersed into the electrolyte, a chemical reaction takes place. The acid in the electrolyte breaks down the atomic structure of the copper and zinc, causing individual electrons to be released. Zinc is a more reactive metal than copper in this chemical process. It generates electrons faster than copper in this chemical process. The excess electrons flow from the zinc plate to the copper plate. This flow of the electrons from a reactive metal to a less reactive metal forms a small current which is strong enough to power a small light bulb, a small watch or a sound chip.