Did you know you could power a battery with your hands without cranking a generator? Well you can, if you take a broader view that a battery is a device for storing energy, even for a moment. The electrolyte in this experiment is the moisture on your palms, while the electrodes are aluminum and a copper surfaces. Although they won’t make enough electricity to power your e-scooter!
Stuff You Need to Power a Battery with Your Hands
- A thin sheet of copper slightly larger than when you press your hand down.
- Ditto a thin sheet of aluminum, although a piece of kitchen foil will work too.
- Two electrical leads, say a foot or so long with alligator clips at both ends.
- Mum, Dad or another adult with a voltage meter to moderate your experiment.
- A suitable piece of flat wood (or a working surface say one foot by one foot).
- A flat piece of plastic, or other non-metallic surface should also do the trick.
Are You Good to Go with This Neat Experiment?
- Position the piece of wood on a firm surface, so it can’t slip, slide or fall off.
- Place the copper and aluminum sheets side by side at a comfortable distance.
- Remind your adult moderator to check the voltage meter is set for milliamps.
- Use the electrical leads with alligator clips to connect the voltage meter and plates.
Now rest one hand, with palm facing down, on each of the two plates. Note the voltage reading on the meter. If it does not show, then swap the terminals around. If you still can’t get a result then the plates may be dirty (or touching each other). Move them apart, or clean them with steel wool to remove any oxidation. Once you have a connection, press your hands down firmly and see the voltage increase.
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