If you plan to make an impressive and simple science fair project for your elementary school child, try this fun and educative experiment. It is very simple to create, and it is safe for all ages. The purpose of a fruit battery is to demonstrate the electrical current generated with a fruit (any citrus fruit) that can light a bulb.

Things you will need

  • Any citrus fruits – like lemons, grapefruits, limes, or oranges.
  • 2-inch copper nail (you can also use a coin or nickel)
  • 2-inch galvanized zinc nail
  • Small, holiday light bulb
  • Electrical tape (or a crocodile clip)

 

Instructions

  1. Squeeze the fruit from all sides with your hands, Do not squeeze very tightly, but just enough to soften it and make the juice within it flowing.

 

  1. Insert the nails in the fruit, keeping them 2-inches apart approximately. If you cannot find a copper nail, use a nickel in its place. Remember to keep the sharp ends inserted in the fruit, but they should not be touching inside it as well.

  1. Remove some of the insulation from around the bulb wires to expose the wire under it. Remove enough insulation to be able to wrap the exposed wire around the two nails.

 

  1. Wrap one of the exposed wires around the zinc nail, and apply tape or an alligator clip to keep it attached.

 

  1. Wrap the other end of the exposed wire to the copper nail, or nickel. Attach it with tape or aligator clip to hold it firmly.

 

  1. Your bulb will light up when the second wire is connected.