Energy Conversion Science Project Idea

Science project idea on how chemical energy can be changed into electrical energy.

Energy Conversion Science Project Idea

How chemical energy may be changed into electrical energy.; The electrical energy which caused the ringing of the bell was generated in a battery cell by a chemical action.; The simplest form of a cell of this kind, called the voltaic cell, was invented in 1800 by Alessandro Volta, a professor in an Italian University.; You can easily make a cell of this kind.

Energy Science Experiment

In a jar containing dilute sulphuric acid place two metal plates; one of zinc and the other of copper.; If each plate (called an electrode) is connected by means of a wire with the binding posts of an electric bell, the bell will ring.; After a few minutes the bell ceases to ring although the circuit has not been broken.;

An examination of the copper plate will show that it is covered with bubbles of a gas, so that the acid is not able to touch it.; The battery is now said to be polarized.; If the bubbles are rubbed off, the bell will again begin to ring.; Various methods have been used to prevent this polarization.; One method is illustrated by the gravity cells.; In this cell, the copper is placed at the bottom of the jar in a solution of copper sulphate, (blue vitriol); and the zinc near the top in weak sulphuric acid.; The blue vitriol solution is heavier than the acid, and remains at the bottom; hence the name gravity cell.;

The blue vitrio1 or copper sulphate solution prevents the gas (hydrogen) ;from reaching the copper plate, but it causes copper to separate from the solution and be deposited on the copper plate as a bright layer.;

In the Daniell cell, the zinc and sulphuric acid are in a porous cup which is placed in a jar containing the copper and blue vitriol solution.; In another form of cell, one electrode is carbon and the other zinc, and the liquid in which they are immersed is a strong solution of sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride).;

The dry cell, which for most purposes is more convenient than any other, is like the last cell mentioned, except that, instead of a jar, a cup or cylinder made of zinc is used as the container, and this forms one electrode.; Then instead of sal ammoniac solution being used, a moist paste saturated with sal ammoniac and usually containing manganese dioxide to prevent polarization, is packed between the carbon and this zinc outer wall.

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