Activity Detail
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Energy from Foods - Part I
 


Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will use fruits and vegetables to make an electrochemical cell and develop an understanding of how an electrochemical cell works. They will use a voltage sensor to determine which fruits and vegetables produce the most electrical energy.

Before the Activity

  • Plug the Sensor Voltage in channel 1 on the CBL™
  • Download TI-GRAPH LINK™ or TI Connect™ to analyze data on the computer
  • Download DataMate™ program
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 15 - 21 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedure:
  • Collect four to six different fruits
  • Make two slits, one centimeter apart, in the fruit and insert a zinc strip in one slit and a copper strip into the other slit
  • Attach the positive lead to the copper strip and negative lead to the zinc strip
  • Measure the voltage across the fruit
  • Repeat this process for the remaining samples
  • Review the pH values on two different graphs - a bar graph and a circle graph
  • Determine which fruit will make the wet cell with the highest voltage

    		After the Activity

    		Students' will complete Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet.

    Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary

    		Other Downloads




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    Subject Area:
    Science : Physical Science : Energy
    Science : Middle Grades Science : Energy

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    5-8

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-73 Explorer™

    Apps:
    DataMate

    Software:
    TI Connect™, TI-GRAPH LINK™

    Accessories:
    CBL™/CBL 2™, Sensor - Voltage, TI Connectivity Cable, TI-GRAPH LINK™ Cable, Unit-to-Unit link cables

    Other:
    This is Activity 2 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Activities for Middle Grades Science with the CBL 2™ and TI-73.

    You will need the following materials:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Zinc strip
  • Copper strip
  • Plastic knife to cut slits
  • Paper towels
  • Data Collection and Analysis pages (p.19-21)


    • Report an issue with this activity