Transcript Electrolytes: Conductors of Electricity

Electrolytes: Conductors of
Electricity
Discovering the hidden secrets of lemons!
Purpose

To observe properties of an electrolyte in a
natural system
Demonstration

In this demonstration a copper and zinc
electrode are inserted into a lemon and a
multimeter is used to measure voltage
Concepts

Electricity
 Electrolytes
 Electrodes
– Anode
– Cathode
Electricity

Electricity – the flow of electrons in a
closed circuit.
Electrolytes

Are ions that carry the electrons

In this demonstration there are electrolytes in the
juice of the lemon that carry the charge. These
electrolytes are found in the fruit and include the
fruit juice and various ions in it such as sodium
and potassium ions, and citric acid as well as other
fruit acids
Electrodes

An electrode is simply a site where electrons are
either lost or gained.
 There are two kinds of electrodes: cathodes and
anodes.
 Cathode is the site at which reduction occurs.
Reduction is the gain of electrons.
Copper is the cathode.
 Anode is the site at which oxidation occurs.
Oxidation is the loss of electrons.
Zinc is the anode.
Conclusion

The space between the two wires is bridged when
the multimeter completes the circuit. A noticeable
voltage is detected. Voltage measures the potential
difference between electrodes. Hooking the
lemons up in a series from 1 to 2 to 3 lemons
results in a higher voltage. The electrolytes in the
lemons complete the circuit—the lemons
themselves act as wires which use their
electrolytes to carry the electrons.
Comments

The original intent of this experiment was to
demonstrate electrical properties of a
lemon using a small lightbulb. However,
due to the small and nearly insignificant
current it would take numerous lemons, or a
much larger zinc electrode to light a single
25 microAmp bulb.