We choose our school experiments carefully, and make every effort to satisfy ourselves they are safe. However, we still recommend having an adult present to help, and offer advice. Those precautions are particularly important if you are using flat, round cells. That’s because button, or penny batteries as they call them could harm you if you ingest one.
Here’s Proof Penny Button Batteries Could Harm You
A penny, or a button battery will react with human saliva, or other natural body moisture. That’s because this liquid acts as electrolyte, allowing the terminals to exchange ions. This in turn can cause a build-up of caustic soda, which eats through human flesh like acid.
We use a thin slice of processed pork polony for this demonstration, because this behaves almost exactly the same way as human flesh would. Please do not attempt to repeat this without a responsible adult present.
Warning: This Video Could Upset Some People
Some sensitive people may regard this video as too shocking to watch. However, it is a fact that penny batteries could harm you a whole lot worse than that. We don’t apologize if you find it a little upsetting, because that’s a whole lot better than spending three weeks in hospital!
Now Let’s Conduct the Demonstrator Experiment
For this quick simple demonstrator experiment, you would therefore need
- A thin slice of pork polony
- A new penny button battery
- A responsible adult mentor
There is NO NEED to add anything else. The experiment may be slower than the video, but it will work and safely too. Simply place the button or penny battery on the slice of polony in a safe place, with the flat side facing up. Then do something else for a couple hours and prepare to be amazed!
Penny Button Batteries Could Harm You – Lessons Learned
People who swallow button batteries, or ingest them in other ways could be in trouble without medical attention. Don’t be shy to admit it if you swallow one or it gets stuck somewhere else. Your doctor or the emergency room will know what to do.
More Information
Lithium Button Batteries Safety Tips for Kids
Advice for Parents: Do a Penny Battery Audit
