According to the BBC, potatoes produce electricity by virtue of their acidic juice , which reacts with two electrodes placed in the potato.
While researching we ran into the query “Can potatoes be used as an energy resource?”.
An answer is that like various forms of energy resources, potatoes can produce electricity for us too . There are many people using the potential of potato to make green electric energy which can run items such as a clock and small bulbs. Potato is a component of our natural diet. It gives us energy by providing us with starch.
How does a potato produce electricity?
The potato does not produce the electricity; instead, it acts as an electrolyte or a buffer . Hence it forces the electrons to travel through the potato by separating zinc and copper and forms a complete circuit. By using only two potatoes, a small amount of potato energy or electrical energy is generated.
Another thing we asked ourselves was: why can a potato act as a battery?
This occurs because the salt in the potato releases ions, allowing them to travel through the wire connecting the two metals [sc:1] [sc: comma] [sc:2]. In short , a potato can act as a battery. To start, a light bulb, a large potato, two wires, a galvanized nail, and a copper coin are needed. Firstly, insert the nail and the coin into the potato.
The chemical energy between the two metals is converted to electrical energy and creates a circuit with the help of the potato! This creates a small electrical charge that can be used to turn on a light. This tutorial is a great example of how energy comes in many forms and how products use that energy in order to do work .
Why do we need potatoes for aerobic respiration?
Aerobic respiration generates energy in the form of ATP for us and ATP is then used in a variety of ways throughout our body. Potatoes contain salts which are also required for the normal homeostatic (chemical and physical balancing) function of our body.
What happens when you put a potato in a metal?
Certain metals ( zinc in the demonstration below) experience a chemical reaction with the acids inside of the potato. This chemical reaction creates the electrical energy that can power a small device like an LED light or clock.