Vinegar + Copper + Aluminum battery experiment

This experiment how to make battery using vinegar, copper, and aluminum foil sheet.

Material used

1. Vinegar (Electrolyte)
2. Copper sheet (35 mm x 35 mm) extracted from computer heat sink fin
3. Aluminum foil (folded to 35 mm x 35 mm)
4. Glass jar (height 80 mm x 65 mm diameter)
5. Crocodile clip wires
6. Multi-meter to observe the increase and decrease in voltage
7. Mobile phone timer to observe the rate of discharge

Additional Material for observation purpose

1. Hydrogen peroxide 6% solution
2. Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
3. Small lime
4. Baking Soda

During Experiment

1. Jar getting warmer
2. Copper and Aluminum foil sheet - forming bubble around it



3. Electrolyte solution - turn into dark bluish color
4. Produce 0.6 volt electricity maximum
5. It reduces fast
6. Adding more hydrogen peroxide caused the voltage to increase
7. Adding Epsom salt make the voltage increase and slowdown discharging rates
8. Adding baking soda reduce the voltage drastically

After experiment

1. Copper sheet getting a little black
2. Aluminum foil getting black spot
3. Electrolyte solution turned dark bluish

Conclusion:

Addition of Epsom Salt, Hydrogen, and Lime increase the acidity of the electrolyte as a result increase the voltage of the current flow. Based on the observation beside increasing the voltage Epson salt also slowdown the discharging process. On the other hand Baking Soda can drastically increase the discharging rates - probably because the baking soda neutralize the acidity of the solution trying to form water.

The surface area of anode (copper) and cathode (aluminum foil) could also play the role in the rate of time current discharges

What I've learn from this experiment

1. We can discharge car battery fast and quick by mixing baking soda in it
2. Epsom Salt can increase voltage of current flow and at the same time decrease discharging rate
3. Addition of Hydrogen Peroxide, Lime, and Epsom salt increase the acidity of the solution and increase voltage. The more acidic the solution the higher the voltage.
4. The Glass jar maybe become hotter if the voltage is higher

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Household materials/products that can be used to make battery



Catehode/Anode (positive/negative)

1. Copper (copper coin, copper heat sink computer, copper coil from faulty motor)
2. Aluminum (soft drinks can, aluminum foil, etc)
3. Carbon - charcoal, graphite from pencil
4. Zinc - from roof, computer internal parts, etc

Electrolyte

1. Lemon Juice
2. Vinegar
3. Salt / Epsom Salt
4. Hydrogen peroxide
5. Sulfuric acid (car battery) - beware corrosive and dangerous
6. Lime
7. Apple
8. Good maid (floor detergent)