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When it comes to batteries there are actually two types of batteries: primary and secondary. Primary batteries are used until all the energy is exhausted from them. These are like your typical AA and AAA batteries from the store. Secondary batteries are rechargeable like in a phone. The penny battery is an example of a primary battery. Wet cell batteries are not used quiet as much nowadays but they are still used mainly in car batteries. Below is an draw example of what the inside of a car battery looks like. There are also two types of cells used for batteries: wet cell and dry cell. Wet cell uses a liquid electrolyte. Dry cells use a paste like electrolyte and can often last longer. AAA and AA are great examples of dry cells. Wet cells, like the penny battery, are not often used commercially but are great at demonstrating electrochemistry. So the penny battery is an example of primary wet cell battery. Well how exactly does this work you might be asking? Batteries work by transferring electrons between two metals. The metals act as an anode(-) and a cathode(+). Electrons want to move from the (-) to the (+) creating an electrical current. This is was powers your devices. Every penny used acts as a single cell in this battery and contributes about .8 volts of power. Stacking more pennies increases the voltage. There are two metals used in this battery: copper(+ cathode) and zinc(- anode). These metals each act as an electrode, or place where electrons can enter or leave. The electrolyte, vinegar, connects the two metals and allows electrons to flow between them. However, because this is a wet cell the battery only lasts as long there is electrolyte present between the metals. Your penny battery can be recharged by soaking it in electrolyte (vinegar) again. http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/lead_based_batteries As you can see a car battery is set up very similarly to the penny battery. Lead cells are used instead of copper and zinc but the same electrode concept can be observed. These cells are stacked and the entire casing is filled with an electrolyte. Typically in car batteries use sulfuric acid. You can also see nodes on top of the car battery like the top and bottom of the penny battery. The concepts are very similar between car batteries and a homemade penny battery. So you want to try running your car with pennies? A fully charged car battery should measure to be 12.6 volts or more. I do encourage you to go out and learn more about different batteries and explore the realm of electrochemistry further. Video Reference for building penny battery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIdPfDHeROI How batteries work http://www.livescience.com/50657-how-batterieswork.html How car batteries work http://www.brainstuffshow.com/blogs/how-do-carbatteries-work.htm Pamphlet written by Robert Schwanz. For more information, contact Prof. Michael Grubb at 970-247-7238. What you will need: 1. Pennies – older than 1982 *Pennies before 1982 were almost entirely made of copper. After 1982 pennies consisted of mainly zinc coated with copper. Zinc and copper are needed for this battery. 2. 3. 4. 5. Sandpaper or file Cardboard Vinegar LED light 6. Electrical Tape 7. Voltmeter (Optional) 8. Scissors 9. Paper Towels 10. Beaker or Cup 11. Copper Wire (Optional) This demo shows how chemical energy is converted into electrical energy. A chemical reaction occurs between two metals connected by an electrolyte which allows the metals to exchange electrons in the form of an electrical current. Batteries of all types are used in many everyday things such as cars, cellphones, iPods, and other various electrical devices. These all work off of the movement of electrons. This demo is a very simplistic way to demonstrate this process. Electrons are being passed between two metals, zinc and copper in this case, to make this homemade battery. Batteries are used all around us and we typically never stop and think about the science that occurs to make these devices operable. How do batteries work in a larger scale? How do rechargeable batteries work? Are all batteries the same? Or are there different types of batteries? What is inside store bought batteries? What determines how long a battery lasts? Step 1: Cut multiple small squares out of Step 4: Take one sanded penny and the cardboard about the size of a penny. place it copper side down. Then take a piece of soaked cardboard and place it on top of the penny. Repeat this process until you are out of pennies. The final stack should have a penny on the bottom and a penny on top. Step 2: Pour some vinegar into a beaker or other safe container. Place the cardboard pieces in the vinegar and make sure they are thoroughly soaked. Step 3: Using sandpaper or a file remove the copper from ONE side of the each of the pennies until you see a shiny zinc (silver color) metal. Be patient this takes some time to do. *Each penny can produce about 0.8 volts. A double A battery can produce 1.5 volts. Plan accordingly for the amount of pennies needed to power your device. Step 5: Test your battery. You can use a voltmeter to see how strong you battery is. With the LED touch the long lead to the top penny and the short lead to the bottom. The LED should light up. Step 6: (Optional) You can use electrical tape to tape the stack together.