Chemistry Energy 

Transformation Lab  
The Lemon Lab. 

Nitin Mamidi, Olivia Michener, Brandon Barrera, 

and Trinity D’Aiello 
02.26.2019 
Stem Chem  
 
 

 
INTRODUCTION 

In this lab our group attempted to transfer energy by using lemons as batteries along 
with copper wire and zinc nails as conductors and in the end try to make an LED light 
up. Throughout this project we had to research how a circuit like this works and what 
causes the lemon, nails, and copper to behave the way they do. 

HYPOTHESIS 

Upon starting this lab, our group hypothesized that by creating a circuit with 4 or more 
lemon batteries we would be able to light a small LED using the acidity of the lemon and 
copper wire and zinc nails as conductors.  

MATERIALS 

1. 4 Lemons 
2. Copper Wire  
3. Zinc Nails 
4. Alligator clips  
5. LED light   

PROCEDURE 

1. First gather four lemons, four galvanized zinc nails, and four copper wires about 
the same size of the nails. You will also need five alligator wires and a working 
LED. 
2. Next cut two slits in each lemon relatively close together lemon in two different 
spots. 
3. Insert one strip of copper wire in one slit and a zinc nail in the other slit. Repeat 
this step for each of the lemons. 
4. Next place each lemon in a square shape. 
5. Then take you alligator clips and attach one end to a copper wire and the other 
end to the next lemon’s zinc nail. 
6. Keep repeating this process until each terminal has an alligator clip on it and the 
circuit is complete. You should have two ends of an alligator clip attached to 

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 nothing. You will connect your LED to these two ends. 
7. Connect the two remaining ends to each wire of the LED. If it does not light up 
check your circuit again for any false connections or try a different LED. 

HOW IT WORKS 

Since batteries consist of two different metals suspended in a acidic solution we needed 
to create the same effect in the lemon. Every battery has two terminals: a cathode which 
is the positive terminal, and an anode which is the negative terminal. By connecting 
these two we create a circuit. Electrons flow through this circuit and cause a chemical 
reaction.  

When we apply this process to our lemon battery the copper wire and zinc nail serve as 
our cathode (positive), and our anode (negative) terminals. When a circuit is created 
between these two terminals, an electrochemical reaction is initiated.  

The energy from the lemon battery is not necessarily from the lemon itself but actually 
from when the zinc nail’s property is changed. Once placed into the lemon, the zinc is 
oxidized and exchanges electrons within. This leads to a lower energy state and the 
energy released provides the power. 

When the copper and zinc react, it results in two processes called oxidation (loss of 
electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons). Metallic zinc is oxidized at the anode and 
moves into the acidic solution as Zn2+ ions 

Change of Energy 

By converting chemical energy into electrical energy, the lemon battery produces 
electricity. The juice of lemon is acidic and functions as an electrolyte. When the two 
electrodes, copper and zinc, are insi​de the lemon, both electrodes on the zinc and copper 
produce individual electrons. The anode and cathode generate a flow of electrons. The 
copper acts as a positive electrode and the negative electrode acts in accordance with the 
zinc. The flow of electrons results in electrical charge generation. The higher the flow 
rate the higher the voltage. 

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ON THE MOLECULAR LEVEL 

At the anode, metallic zinc is oxidized, and enters the acidic solution as Zn​2+​ ions:

Zn → Zn​2+​ + 2e-.

At the copper cathode, hydrogen ions are reduced to form molecular hydrogen:

2H​+​+ 2e- → H​2​.

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RESULTS 

Our group tried many different tests to try and light the LED. We first started by placing 
a penny and a nail in two slits of the lemon and connecting alligator clips to the nail and 
the penny to the LED. Using this method the LED wouldn't light due to an unknown. This 
could be attributed to either the penny’s age or the physical copper content. We 
continued our experiment but instead of pennies we tried utilizing copper wire as an 
alternative. With this change, the series worked successfully and lit the LED. We also 
tried a different solution by using vinegar and copper wire and zinc nails. We did 
everything the same way and was able to light the LED. 

CONCLUSION 

In this project we learned how acidic solutions such as vinegar and lemons have the 
capacity to form makeshift batteries due to their chemical properties. We also learned 
their structures on the molecular level and what causes them to behave the way that 
they do. 

Sources 

1. http://hilaroad.com/camp/projects/lemon/lemon_battery.html 
2. https://sciencing.com/lemon-battery-6327161.html 
3. http://www.edinformatics.com/math_science/how_does_a_battery_work.htm 
4. http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch9/redox.php  

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