What would be the best materials for a time traveler to the early 1800's to build a battery to recharge a portable tape recorder? Electrodes, eletrolyte, and how many cells would be required if the normal recharger puts out 12V @ 100ma? Also please discuss assembly, recommended electrode surface area, distance of separation, etc.
Thank you
2006-09-07 03:37:04 · 5 answers · asked by sojsail 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
If one were to use the right materials (copper and magnesium electrodes), you can squeeze up to ~400mA@1.5V out of a lemon battery.
You would probaby need to put 8 lemons in series at least, but then you would be getting ~400@12V.
Electrode size and seperation should be adjusted to achieve the required voltage/current.
2006-09-07 03:49:51 · answer #1 · answered by Frohoff 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lemon with zinc and copper electrodes will gave ~0.75V at 1-10 mA
You would need a several banks of lemons; 16 in series to make the 12 volts, and lets say 20 in parallel to make 100 mA.
Your shopping list (from the early 1800's):
320 lemons, 320 copper half-pennies, 320 galvanized nails
It would probably be easier to just bring a radio shack lead-acid battery with you (unless you are concerned with timeline contamination).
2006-09-07 03:58:55 · answer #2 · answered by MadScientist 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't venture into such things...buy a new battery instead...what do you want to prove exactly...it might prove harmful to you...better avoid it...
2006-09-07 03:43:24 · answer #3 · answered by Ajit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What excactly you need to know?
About the home made batteries??
2006-09-07 03:39:19 · answer #4 · answered by Ranjit F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wta do u need 2 no and y do u need 2 no it???????????????????
2006-09-07 03:42:37 · answer #5 · answered by mummy to 3 miracles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋