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.