Generating Electricity with Acidic Fruits

Felex Lau Timothy Wu Samuel Wong G9DDiocesan Boys’ School

G9 Young Scholar Project

AIMS1

Generate electricity using acidic fruitsFind an alternative of generating electricityFind out how acidic fruits can generate electricity

Generate electricity using acidic fruitsFind an alternative of generating electricityFind out how acidic fruits can generate electricityPresented in our

proposal presentation

PROCEDURES2

1. Cut the fruit in half

1. Cut the fruit in half2. Cut two slits in the flesh of the fruit

1. Cut the fruit in half2. Cut two slits in the flesh of the fruit3. Insert Zn and Cu sheets into the slits

1. Cut the fruit in half2. Cut two slits in the flesh of the fruit3. Insert Zn and Cu sheets into the slits4. Connect Zn and Cu sheets to voltmeter using wires

1. Cut the fruit in half2. Cut two slits in the flesh of the fruit3. Insert Zn and Cu sheets into the slits4. Connect Zn and Cu sheets to voltmeter using wires5. Turn on the voltmeter and take measuring

1. Cut the fruit in half2. Cut two slits in the flesh of the fruit3. Insert Zn and Cu sheets into the slits4. Connect Zn and Cu sheets to voltmeter using wires5. Turn on the voltmeter and take measuring6. Measure weight of fruit, pH of fruit

1. Cut the fruit in half2. Cut two slits in the flesh of the fruit3. Insert Zn and Cu sheets into the slits4. Connect Zn and Cu sheets to voltmeter using wires5. Turn on the voltmeter and take measuring6. Measure weight of fruit, pH of fruit7. Labeling and recording

TESTED ITEMS3

Lemon

Orange

Potato

AppleGrapes

Extra: Water

Extra: HClExtra: Coca Cola

Safety precautions 4

Cutting the fruitLab

matHandling

of knife

Connecting WiresNO wet

hands!Tip of wire should

not touch liquidPlugs correctly

inserted

Be careful when pouring!

Hydrochloric AcidDon’t touch the liquid!Wear gloves

Results5

Fruit Test 1 Test 2 Weight 1

Weight 2

pH value

mV/g

Lemons 975 mV 952 mV 53.95 g 63.01 g pH 3 16.59

Oranges 989 mV 1001 mV

111.59 g

100.41 g

pH 4 9.41

Potatoes 924 mV 825 mV 61.42 g 65 g pH 5 13.87

Apples 898 mV 1001 mV

73.52 g 83.63 g pH 3.5 12.09

Grapes 1002 mV

1025 mV

11.19 g 9.64 g pH 3 97.94

Coca Cola

1035 mV

/ 55.09 g / pH 4 18.79

Water 885 mV / (300 mL)

/ pH 7 NA

HCl 810 mV / NA / pH 3 NA

Note: HCl and H2O can produce electricity but it is not the main part of the project (Together with Coca Cola, they were just for fun)

Formula for calculating mV/g

[ (Test 1 / Weight 1) + (Test 2/ Weight 2) ] /2

Larger the number = more electricity generated

GRAPES can generate the most electricitywith 97.94

mV/g

ORANGES can generate the least electricitywith 9.41

mV/g

Can it be used to light up an LED bulb?

Lowest voltage on market: 11V

Lowest voltage on market: 11V

Divided by: Grapes’ 97.94 mV/g

Lowest voltage on market: 11V

Divided by: Grapes’ 97.94 mV/g

(=0.09794 V/g)

Lowest voltage on market: 11V

Divided by: Grapes’ 97.94 mV/g

(=0.09794 V/g)Equals: approx. 112.3g of grapes

Lowest voltage on market: 11V

Divided by: Grapes’ 97.94 mV/g

(=0.09794 V/g)Equals: approx. 112.3g of grapes…Or 1168.9g

of oranges

There doesn’t seem to be a relationship between

pH and electricity

generated

Fruit pH value

mV/g

Lemons pH 3 16.59

Oranges pH 4 9.41

Potatoes pH 5 13.87

Apples pH 3.5 12.09

Grapes pH 3 97.94

Coca Cola

pH 4 18.79

Water pH 7 NA

HCl pH 3 NA

There doesn’t seem to be a relationship between

pH and Electricity

generated

Fruit pH value

mV/g

Lemons pH 3 16.59

Oranges pH 4 9.41

Potatoes pH 5 13.87

Apples pH 3.5 12.09

Grapes pH 3 97.94

Coca Cola

pH 4 18.79

Water pH 7 NA

HCl pH 3 NA

Electricity generated probably related to content of other substancesExample: Citric acid /

amount of liquid in fruit

Improvements 6

Use a larger variation of fruitsUse of fresh fruitsIncrease contact area between fruits and zinc and copper

REFERENCES7http://www.flickr.com/photos/tk-link/2575598759/sizes/l/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/30799898@N03/3184498349/sizes/z/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mukumbura/2618327495/sizes/l/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/lennox_mcdough/2744111202/sizes/o/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/3643547384/http://www.flickr.com/photos/polarboy/51260359/http://www.flickr.com/photos/chag/2120044158/sizes/l/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakecaptive/3205277810/sizes/l/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/38469186@N00/1550538359/sizes/l/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiotsrun/3459948146/http://www.flickr.com/photos/sologenesis/3202312406/sizes/l/in/photostream/http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5167602_do-citrus-fruits-produce-electricity.htmlhttp://www.blurtit.com/q9083711.htmlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/j_h_h/1685429053/sizes/z/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/piccadillybackpackers/3381491873/

THE ENDthank you!