5E40.15 - Human Battery

Code Number:
5E40.15
Demo Title:
Human Battery
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Chemical Storage of E.M.F.
Area of Study:
Electrically & Magnetism
Equipment:
Copper and Magnesium Electrodes, Voltmeter, and Aluminum Electrode if Desired.
Procedure:

Plug the electrodes into the voltmeter.  Orientation does not make a difference.  Set the voltmeter on 2 VDC.  The copper and magnesium electrodes should give about 1.4 volts when touched with one hand on each electrode.  The copper and aluminum electrodes will only give about 0.5 volts.

References:
  • Robert A. Morse, "Galvanize Your Class! Build a Battery of Students", TPT, Vol. 48, #3, Mar. 2010, p. 154.
  • Mark A. Heald, "Maximum Power Transfer vs. Efficiency", TPT, Vol. 26, #1, Jan. 1988, p. 10.
  • "E-360. Lemon and Human Batteries", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook, 1993.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "J.3. Human Battery", Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations, p. 147.
  • Brian Jones and Matt Fackelman, "Hand Battery", Don't Forget the Duct Tape, p. 57 - 60.


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