How Do You Make a Light Bulb From Citrus?
The process of lighting a bulb using citrus fruit is an inexpensive and fun project. It’s appropriate for even middle school or elementary school children, and it can be an exciting way to interest them in science.
First, choose the fruit that you wish to work with. The following are a list of citrus fruits that would be acceptable:
After you choose the citrus fruit that you want to work with, then roll the fruit between a flat surface and the palm of your hand. You do not want the skin to break when you are rolling it, so do not roll it too hard. Rather, roll the fruit until you feel it soften beneath your hand. This process frees up the juice in the fruit, and makes it easier for the fruit to conduct electricity.
After you have rolled the fruit until it is soft, place the fruit in some type of container that will hold it. If you are working with a smaller citrus fruit (such as a lemon, or a lime), you can place the fruit in an egg carton. If you are working with a larger citrus fruit (such as a grapefruit), place the fruit in a small bowl.
Using Nails
You then need two different types of nails: a two inch copper nail and a two inch galvanized nail. Push these nails into your citrus fruit. Push the nails in about two inches apart, and make sure not to let the nails touch. However, do not push the nails in far enough that they poke into the skin on the opposite side of the citrus fruit.
Minature Lamp
Then, you need a miniature lamp with leads. If you do not have a miniature lamp with leads, you can also use Christmas tree lights. The larger bulb Christmas tree lights are more ideal for this project then the smaller “twinkle” Christmas tree lights. You need to check the leads on the bulb from the lamp.
If the wire is insulated into each end of the lead, you need to strip part of the insulation off using a wire stripper (if you have used Christmas lights, you’ll need to have insulated wire). You should strip approximately one inch of the insulation off using the wire stripper.
Finishing Up
Next, take the bare wire that you have stripped and wrap one end around the copper nail. You will then wrap the other end of the same bare wire around the galvanized nail. To ensure that the wires stay wrapped around the nails, clip them in place. An easy and acceptable clip that can accomplish this task is alligator clips, or clothespin. Sit back and enjoy the light bulb light up!
How Does Citrus Make Light?
A citrus fruit can light up a light bulb through a fruit battery. A fruit battery works because when two different metals are combined in a liquid, the mixture results in electricity. This is because the metals operate as electrodes, and the liquid operates as an electrolyte.
How Much Power Do You Get?
A little electricity or a substantial amount of electricity can result depending upon the types of metals that you use. This is because different types of metals have a different amount of electrons in them.
The higher the number of electrons, the greater the amount of electricity is produced. For example, there are twenty-nine electrons in an atom of copper. Zinc has thirty electrons in an atom, and thus will produce slightly more electricity. There are seventy-nine electrons in an atom of gold, and thus will produce a considerable more amount of electricity. Citrus fruits are usually somewhat acidic, and this acidity conducts the electricity.