Download Pamphlet written by Robert Schwanz. For more information, contact

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.