Chemistry
The lemon cell
To make a simple cell using an unusual acidic solution.
Electrochemistry
electrochemical cell; electrodes; voltage
What students learn
The science behind this experiment
When a pair of metals, for example zinc and copper, are placed in a lemon, it is possible to measure a difference of voltage by means of a multimeter.
Equipment used
- Digital multimeter — 2275.10
- 1 × Connecting wire, red — 2522.03-04
- 1 × Connecting wire, black — 2522.04-08
- 2 × Crocodile clips — 2531.52
- 1 × Copper electrode — 4716.21
- 1 × Zinc electrode — 4716.16
- Lemon
Chemicals and reagents
Safety notes
Questions for students
- Record the voltage and give an explanation.
What to expect
<p>The voltage of the cell is approximately 1.1 V.</p><p>The theoretical principles are the same as those described in the experiment the Salt solution cell.</p>
Disposal
Run this experiment in your classroom
This experiment is part of the ATP Mobile Lab — a self-contained laboratory that turns an ordinary classroom into a working science lab, with over 200 experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, robotics and engineering. Gali, the AI tutor built into ATP Connect, guides students through each step and answers their questions at the bench.
See the Mobile LabTalk to our team