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How to Electrify a Potato

Because of the environmental impact of using non-renewable energy sources like oil and coal, alternate energy sources have become an important issue. Sources of alternate power like solar power are well known, but there are other lesser-known alternate energy sources as well, such as potatoes, which can be electrified into a makeshift battery. The water, starch and salts in the potato allow two separate metals to conduct electricity. Whether you are looking for an alternate energy source or creating a science project, electrifying a potato reveals a lot about the way electricity works.

Things You'll Need

Potato peeler
Galvanized steel screw
Copper wire
Wire cutters
Voltage meter

Instructions

- 1
  Peel the potato with the potato peeler.
- 2
  Insert the galvanized screw into one end of the potato. Leave approximately 1inch of the screw sticking out from the potato. It is important that the screw be galvanized, because these types of screws are coated in zinc.
- 3
  Cut a 2- to 3-inch piece of copper wire with the wire cutters. If the copper wire is coated in plastic, strip it off with the wire cutters.
- 4
  Insert the copper wire into the other end of the potato. However, do not insert it too deeply, because the wire and screw must be close, but not touching. The depth that you insert the wire will depend on the potato's size and the length of your screw.
- 5
  Twist together the two thin strips of copper in the copper wire.
- 6
  Test the current. Clip one end of the voltage meter's wires onto the screw's body. Place the other clip onto the end of the copper wire. The voltage meter should display a small amount of power output. If so, you have successfully electrified the potato.

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