Activity Detail
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Activity Overview

In this activity, students make a battery using different fruits and vegetables, a copper penny, and a zinc washer. They use a voltage probe to collect data on voltage and compare the values of different batteries.

Before the Activity

  • Install the CBL/CBR Application on the students' graphing calculators using TI Connect™ or a TI-GRAPH LINK™
  • Connect the TI-73 to the CBL 2™ unit
  • Connect the voltage probe to the CH1 port of the CBL
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 163 - 178 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Create slits 1 cm apart in the item tested as battery makers
  • Insert the copper penny and zinc washer into the slits
  • Connect the positive lead to the penny and negative to the zinc
  • Observe the readings on the calculator
  • Repeat the activity with the other fruits/vegetables and by placing the electrodes at different distances
  • Plot a graph of voltage readings versus type of electrolyte
  • For each battery set up collect readings every 99 seconds for a period of nearly 3 hours
  • Observe the plot of voltage versus time and examine the rate of change in voltage over time
  • Create a manual fit for this data
  • Identify the item that made the best battery and the battery with the most staying power

    		After the Activity

    		Students will complete the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet and answer questions listed in it.

    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 : Physics : Electricity and Magnetism

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    5-8

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-73 Explorer™

    Apps:
    TI-CBL™/CBR™ App

    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 12 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Data Collection Activities for the Middle Grades with the TI-73, CBL™, and CBR™

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Seven different types of "batteries", some items that might be good are: potato, lemon, lime, apple, orange, grapefruit, banana, broccoli
  • Zinc washer
  • Copper penny (1959-1982)
  • Knife, to make slots for the penny and washer
  • Ruler
  • Towel
  • Water


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