During our discussions, our group was able to come up with various possible experiments that we believe would meet the requirements for the final project. Though these experiments were different in set-up, they were similar because they involved generating energy and possibly how to produce energy in a more efficient way.
The first experiment we discussed involved the use of various fruits to charge or power different types of electrical devices. The purpose of this experiment would be to demonstrate how an electrical current can be generated using citrus fruits (such as lemons or limes) that is strong enough to power a small light bulb or charge a phone.
Electrical current is the flow of electrons (movement) of an electrical charge and is measured using an ammeter. Solid conductive metals contain large population of free electrons, which are bound to the metal lattice and move around randomly due to thermal energy. When two terminals of a voltage source (battery) are connected via a metal wire, the free electrons of the conductor drift toward the positive terminal, making them the electrical current carrier within the conductor. The active ingredient in the fruit are positively charged ions. A transfer of electrons takes place between a zinc nail and the acid from the fruit. The nails act as poles for the battery, one positive and one negative. Electrons travel from the positive pole to the negative pole via the light bulb wire (the conductor), generating enough electricity to light the bulb.
Our second experiment involved the construction of an AC electric generator which lights up a tiny incandescent light bulb. The generator is made from a hollow-ended cardboard box with a nail through the center. The box has many turns of varnished thin copper wire wound around, with four large magnets clamped around the nail. When the nail and magnets are spun fast by hand, the little light bulb lights up dimly.
This project would demonstrate how easy, yet difficult it can be to generate electricity, because it is not extremely complicated to build a generator to power up a bulb, but the steps and materials required are extremely precise and cannot be changed.
Lastly, the final experiment we discussed involved the use of coins, vinegar, paper, aluminum, and salt to create an electrical current to power a light bulb or electrical device. This experiment is very simple to complete, however, it would take a while to prepare. It would be a great way to test a variety of metals and also the number of coins used and how they affect the voltage produced during the experiment.