Voltaic Piles and Vegetable Batteries
We recreated Allessandro Volta’s “pile”, a simple battery, using zinc and copper washers. We made simple “wet cell” batteries, comparing electrodes made
from different metals, surface area of electrodes, and strength of electrolytes. We learned why coating iron with zinc (galvanizing) kept the iron from rusting. We made batteries out of potatoes, other fruits and vegetables, and even hot dogs!
from different metals, surface area of electrodes, and strength of electrolytes. We learned why coating iron with zinc (galvanizing) kept the iron from rusting. We made batteries out of potatoes, other fruits and vegetables, and even hot dogs!