In the simple experiment where you stick an iron nail and a copper coin in a potato to make a cell, it is obvious that the further apart the two metals are in the electrochemical series, the greater voltage will be prduced (i.e. lead and copper together would be really bad, iron and copper is better etc.). But what difference does it make to switch the potato for a lemon? Does this have any effect on the voltage produced by the cell?
2006-11-11 03:50:48 · 6 answers · asked by Rich 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Why don't you do it and find out the answer? Then you'd be a REAL scientist!
2006-11-11 03:55:34 · answer #1 · answered by migdalski 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lemon works better as there is a greater concentration of ions in the lemon juice. The voltage depends on the difference in electronegativities of the metals (how far apart they are in reactivity) so there would be negligible difference in voltage but you would be able to draw a larger current with the lemon.
2006-11-11 14:21:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A potato can be used to make a chemical battery, as can many fruits and vegetables. A photovoltaic element is very different. There are a lot of web sites that describe how to do this. Just look. Even a lot of answers on Y!A here already about it. Just look.
2016-05-22 05:17:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes cos in a lemon there is citric acid and the acid boosts voltage
2006-11-11 06:39:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the lemon works better because of the increased acidity.
2006-11-11 03:58:57 · answer #5 · answered by T_Jania 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a few years ago I bought my b/f a potatoe clock, you just plugged the wires into a spud
2006-11-11 03:55:06 · answer #6 · answered by mannit m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋