Science Assignment

I changed the amount of liquid in each cup to 125mls. I also made the citric acid and tartaric acids a saturated solutions. I used 9 teabags to make the tea.

I think that's all
I still don't get why my experiment was so weird

Just to say my experiment was a bit of a failure, with the water producing electricity?!?! Actually, the water's electricity was only a little bit less than the acids. :(. maybe if i have time, I will repeat the experiment with pure water. I think that because the tap water in Sydney contains some fluoride and some metals, so it might have caused the electricity. :(. awww.. :'(. Anyways I did in fact take like 100 photos, which will take a long time to upload (they're like taken on a 14mp camera, so each photo is about 6mbs)... I'll upload it when I have time and when I have time to make the quality worse, so they're easy to upload.

I'm just so depressed that my experiment had such weird results :(

Well, I just have to see which one corrodes the fastest.
Byeee. Need to do Mr Marrusich and Ms Conidaris Homework!!

About yesterday, I went to Woolies to look for the purest possible form of the ingredient. Say for lemon juice, there were a few brands but I chose the one with the least additives. I must say, there are some pretty unexpected things placed in foods today. In some vinegars, they put color??? there's like color in every ingredient, but in the ones that I've chosen, I have tried to minimize the risk of getting dodgy results by using the purest form. Hope that helps in making my experiment work properly. :)

Took heaps of pictures- gonna post them on the web later. I also measured the copper strips. They were all 0.54mm thick. :). Gonna report back later.. when i've actually finished my first part. cya xoxoxo

Okay, so the scales that I have looked at are not accurate enough (the most accurate one is like 0.1 accuracy and is like 90 dollars), but since I am using a strip of copper, then I will be using a multimeter to measure the thickness of the copper only, not the zinc. I've been to Woolies and bought everything. I WILL be starting 2morro!!!

Now... More research

What is an acid? 

• any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=q4d&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=define%3A+acid&aq=f&aqi=g1g-c3g3g-c2g1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=


How is electricity produced?
The juice of lemon is acidic in nature and works as a powerful electrolyte. The lemon itself serves as a reservoir for transfer of electrons to and from the electrodes. When the two electrodes, copper and zinc, are suspended in the acidic lemon juice, the atomic structure of the atoms of both the electrodes starts breaking, resulting in production of individual electrons.
Both the electrodes are not in contact with each other and thus a flow of electrons is generated through the electrodes and electrolyte. The copper acts a positive electrode and the zinc acts as the negative electrode. Both the metals are good conductors of electricity and thus a flow of electrons take place from the negative to positive electrode. This free flow of electrons results in the generation of an electric potential. Depending on this electrons flow rate, the amount of voltage generated is measured using a voltmeter. Thus this experiment proves that electricity can also be generated just by plain chemical reaction.
However, it is to note that electricity will be generated only when the battery circuit gets completed by external wiring. Also, it is not the lemon which is the source of energy, but the chemical change in the zinc that produces electricity. The zinc electrode, when inside the lemon, gets oxidized by releasing electrons and goes to a lower energy state. This leads to the transfer of electrons from a high energy state electrode to a low energy state electrode. Thus, lemon just serves as an environment for the generation of electricity; however doesn’t produce any electrons on its own.
The voltage produced by a single lemon is very small. However, a series of lemons can be used to increase the voltage of the whole battery. A series involving four lemon batteries can easily light an LED.

Research on the acids I'm using
Citric acid
It is a weak organic acid. Many fruits contain it, however in Lemons and Limes, they are in greater concentrations. It can actually be up to 8% of the weight of the dry fruits. The concentrations of citric acid in citrus fruits range from 0.005 mol/L for oranges and grapefruits to 0.30 mol/L in lemons and limes.

from- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid

Here is a 3D model of an atom of Citric acid
from- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Citric-acid-3D-balls.png

Tartaric Acid
Tartaric acid is a white crystalline diprotic organic acid. It occurs naturally in many plants, particularly grapes, bananas, and tamarinds, and is one of the main acids found in wine.
Solubility in water 133 g/100ml (20°C)

Molecular formula

C4H6O6 (Basic formula) HO2CCH(OH)CH(OH)CO2H (Structural formula)

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartaric_acid

3D Model:

from-  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Tartaric-acid-3D-balls.png
This is only a strarting point for me and thats why there is wikipedia. I will be using other references soon...

Toodles gtg!!

Equipment

• Vinegar
• Citric Acid (powder)
• Pulp free lemon juice
• Mineral water
• Coca Cola
• Tartaric Acid (powder)
• Tea
• Water
• Sugar Water (saturated solution)
• Salt Water (saturated solution)
• Cups
• Strips of Copper
• Strips of Zinc/ piece of zinc
• Digital Kitchen Scales- the most accurate you can find
• Stopwatch
• 1pH-12 pH paper
• 3.8-5.5 pH paper
• 1.5 volt lightbulb and socket or LED light bulb
• Wires

Method
1.    Gather all equipment
2.    Measure the weight of the copper and zinc strip using the Kitchen scales.
3.    Record weight in "table 1: Results"
4.    Tape the copper strip to the inside of the cup, tape the zinc piece to the opposite inside of the cup.
5.    Pour about 200 mls of mineral water into the cup.  If the test substance is solid, dilute it in a 1:4 ratio in water
6.    Use the red wire on the multimeter to attach onto the zinc strip, use the yellow wire on the multimeter to attach to the copper strip
7.    Turn on the multimeter
8.    Set the multimeter at the voltage.
9.    Observe the change on the LCD monitor
10.    Record the result.
11.    Remove the multimeter from the copper and zinc and turn it off
12.    Dip a strip of (1-12)pH paper into the acid.
13.    Observe the change in colour.
14.    Match the colour to a similar colour on the pH colour chart
15.    If the pH is between 3.8 and 5.5, use the 3.8-5.5 test paper and test again.
16.    Record pH in "table 1: Results
17.    Attach a light bulb by attaching on end of a wire to the copper and the other end to terminal of the light bulb and attach the other wire to the zinc and the other terminal on the light bulb
18.    Observe to see if the light-bulb glows. If it glows, use a stopwatch to measure how long it glows for.
19.    Record the all the results in "table 1: Results"
20.    Cover the cup with a plate.
21.    Leave the copper and zinc in the cup with the mineral water for 24 hours.
22.    Measure the weight of the copper and zinc using the kitchen scales.
23.    Record the weights in "table 1 : Results"
24.    Repeat steps 2-23 with the citric acid, vinegar, lemon juice, mineral water, Coca Cola, Tartaric Acid, tea, water, sugar water and salt water

Because I got my hands on a solid piece of zinc (not on a sheet of zinc) I will not be measuring the thickness of the metal. Instead I will be using kitchen scales to measure the weight before and after.
Things I need to be careful:
- Need to dry the piece of zinc and copper before taking measurements.
- Set the scale at zero
- Make sure the whole piece of zinc is in the liquid

that should be about it.
I really want to start the experiment, but I've been having all my yearies recently so I haven't had the time. I should have time next week. Hope... that I will start it next weekend.

I just realized that I've done the climate graph thing 3 times!! WOW! Thats like the most times I've done anything on photoshop.

After realizing that... my climate graph wasn't a proper climate graph. I made a new one.
NOTE: If including this graph in the 2nd blog marking means that I will lose more marks than without it, then don't include it, however if including it will mean that I will gain marks, then include it.

Why do all the different posts have different time stamp formats?? So weird... :S

Blog due...NOW! Hopefully I've done the right things to satisfy the marking criteria. Fingers Crossed.

Should I use baking soda as well?? Maybe, coz if I use baking soda, it's a base, which can also be used as a control, to prove that the "acid" is causing the electricity.

I have basically all the equipment I need, which is great, but it also means that I will have to start my experiment.

The acids such as vinigar, mineral water, citric acid, lemon, mineral water, coca cola, tartaric acid and tea might sting if it gets into the eyes. If it gets into the eyes, rinse the eye in plenty of running water. You can also prevent the acids from getting into the eyes by using goggles.

When the copper and zinc are in the acid, they produce some electricity, be careful not to touch both of them at the same time, or else they might cause a small electrical zap. This is not very harmful, because electricity that is produced is very small, however it might slightly hurt. We can prevent this by only touching one metal at a time.

After I studied many different experiments of making a lemon or acid battery, I have picked out best parts of each method and put it together. I have also added additional steps to ensure that the questions of the experiment are answered and that the experiment is carried out with a minimization of errors. I have also chosen to use a pure zinc strip over zinc plated, because it is more pure. Some of the acids I have chosen to test are solely that acid, so I shall know whether that type of acid produces that. I am also going to test salt and sugar water because some of the substance I have tested have salt or sugar in it. I have included water as a control.

Hypothesis: The stronger the acid, the higher the reading will be on the multimeter. Also the stronger the acid, the thinner the copper and zinc after the experiment.  None of the weak or non-acids will produce any light when attached to a lightbulb.
Aim: To investigate whether the stronger the acid the more electricity will be produced.
Equipment

• Vinegar
• Citric Acid (powder)
• Freshly squeezed, pulp free lemon juice
• Mineral water
• Coca Cola
• Tartaric Acid (powder)
• Tea
• Water
• Sugar Water (saturated solution)
• Salt Water (saturated solution)
• Cups
• Strips of Copper
• Strips of Zinc
• Digital calipers
• Stopwatch
• 1pH-12 pH paper
• 3.8-5.5 pH paper
• 1.5 volt lightbulb and socket or LED light bulb
• Wires

Method
1.    Gather all equipment
2.    Measure the thickness of the copper and zinc strip using the multimeter.
3.    Record thickness in "table 1: Results"
4.    Tape the copper strip to the inside of the cup, tape the zinc strip to the opposite inside of the cup.
5.    Pour about 50mls of mineral water into the cup.  If the test substance is solid, dilute it in a 1:4 ratio in water
6.    Use the red wire on the multimeter to attach onto the zinc strip, use the yellow wire on the multimeter to attach to the copper strip
7.    Turn on the multimeter
8.    Set the multimeter at the voltage.
9.    Observe the change on the LCD monitor
10.    Record the result.
11.    Remove the multimeter from the copper and zinc and turn it off
12.    Dip a strip of (1-12)pH paper into the acid.
13.    Observe the change in colour.
14.    Match the colour to a similar colour on the pH colour chart
15.    If the pH is between 3.8 and 5.5, use the 3.8-5.5 test paper and test again.
16.    Record pH in "table 1: Results
17.    Attach a light bulb by attaching on end of a wire to the copper and the other end to terminal of the light bulb and attach the other wire to the zinc and the other terminal on the light bulb
18.    Observe to see if the light-bulb glows. If it glows, use a stopwatch to measure how long it glows for.
19.    Record the all the results in "table 1: Results"
20.    Cover the cup with a plate.
21.    Leave the copper and zinc in the cup with the mineral water for 24 hours.
22.    Measure the thickness of the copper and zinc using a multimeter.
23.    Record the thickness in "table 1 : Results"
24.    Repeat steps 2-23 with the citric acid, vinegar, lemon juice, mineral water, Coca Cola, Tartaric Acid, tea, water, sugar water and salt water

Results

I realized that I haven't put a title or legend on my other climate graph. So here's the NEW and IMPROVED one. xD In my new one the title should be "Bureau of Meteorology Temperature and rainfall" NOT "Bureau of Meteorology Climate and Rainfall"

I just realised that I have accidentally changed my time stamp to "eastern standard" time and not "eastern standard time- Sydney, Melbourne". That's why my blog post have a really weird time thing.

This one was interesting:

• 18-gauge copper wire
• Lemon
• Wire clippers
• Coarse sandpaper sheet
• Steel paper clip or a 2-inch strip of zinc
• Volt meter

• Small bowl
• Warm water
• 6 copper coins (pennies work)
• Salt
• Aluminum Foil
• Scissors
• Tape
• Two pieces of wire with the ends stripped off
• 1.5 volt penlight bulb
• Paper towels and one paper plate

This is a good experiment. The way that they present it is all-right, but you get the visuals.

I have realized that my graph doesn't exactly look like a climate graph, when compared to other people's so I might re-do it before the next blog submission. Also I need to write up a correct method before the blog is due.

I've looked at these websites:
http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/FunLab/DoItYourself/LemonLight/LemonLight.php
- This one has a cool animation on how to make electricity with
http://www.miniscience.com/projects/PotatoElectricity/
- about potatoes.... interesting. I might need to test more things after reading this experiment.

Yesterday I went to Rockdale Bunnings. I asked for "zinc plating" at first they didnt know what it was. I asked another person and they were like "isn't it like a metal" and i was like "yes" then they were like "it's quite heavy and it comes in sheets and rolls". They told me it was in aisle 1 where it opens up. I went to aisle 1 and guess what i found in sheets? Lead! and guess what I found in rolls? Lead and aluminum. But no zinc. :(

I gave up looking for zinc and thought that I would just use zinc plated metals which would mean i would have to change my experiment slightly. I went to woolies and bought citric acid and mineral water (carbonic acid) because they both contained the pure form of the acid.

So I'm changing the experiment so as to only test whether the light bulb glows and the measurements I get with the multimeter. I might also see which acid melts the coating of zinc first, and therefore run out of electricity.

I bought pH test paper (its really hard to get, couldn't find it for ages). I bought 2 types, one is from 1-12 and the other is between 4-5, which is more accurate. I've also bought a 6 volt light bulb and socket. Maybe I should get a 1.5 volt battery, 6 volts might be too much of a resistance. I've got my hands on a strip of copper, however, I don't know where to get a piece zinc. :(. Does anyone know??

Anyways only need to go Woolies or Coles to the other equipment (food) and need to source my zinc. Should be starting experiment next week.