Water found in potatoes is not pure water and will conduct electricity because of the contaminants and ions contained in the potato. Water combines with salt to produce electrolytes, a key ingredient in conducting electricity. Every potato contains cells.
To be clear, the potato is not, in and of itself, an energy source. What the potato does is simply help conduct electricity by acting as what’s called a salt-bridge between the the two metals, allowing the electron current to move freely across the wire to create electricity.
So, why does a lemon and a potato conduct electricity?
One source proposed the lemon and the potato act like a low-power battery . This experiment shows how a wet cell battery works . Chemicals in the fruit or vegetable create a negative charge in the zinc strip.
The electric charges produced within a potato are accumulative with other sources. For example, two potato sources produce twice the electric current as one potato source and so on.
Water is contained naturally in potatoes; however, soaking the potato overnight in water will help it conduct even more electricity . The water helps the salt in the potato break apart into separate ions.
So, how does an electric current pass through a potato?
The answer is that the electric current is activated when two specific metallic objects , like a copper penny and a galvanized zinc nail, are inserted into the potato. These metals are important because the electrons move from the zinc material to the copper penny. This phenomena occurs because the electrons are negatively charged.
What is the purpose of the potato in the circuit?
The potato provides the buffer to conduct electricity to the small electronic device . Electrodes should be made of copper and zinc — most often used are copper pennies and zinc nails.
How does a potato battery work?
The potato battery is a type of electrochemical battery, or cell . 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., and incredible, huh?
This experiment is often called the potato battery. Potatoes naturally contain salt , one of the most important ingredients for conducting electricity. In electricity, salt is important for conducting the current in the form of ions.
Can boiled potatoes be used as an alternative source of energy?
Studies also suggest that boiled potato is able to produce greater electrical energy as compared to a normal potato. As potato is one of the most abundant crops in the world, it can be used as alternative power resources in remote areas where providing electricity can be a nuisance .