Chapter 1: Principles of electrical science

Activity sheet 1.2: Sources of emf

Aims and objectives
At the end of this activity, you should be able to:
● describe a source of emf
● create a simple emf source.

Instructions
1. Take 10 × 2p pieces and enough aluminium tinfoil and absorbent paper to make
9 × shapes of each material similar in size to the copper 2p pieces.
2. Cut the tinfoil and the paper into disks that are the same size as the coins. The paper should be
soaked briefly in a vinegar/salt solution to act as an electrolyte.
3. Connect one aluminium disk to a crocodile clip and then layer the paper and coin on top,
repeating the layers until a copper coin is the last part of the battery.
4. Connect a lead and crocodile clip to the last coin and you then have a battery that should be just
powerful enough to light a small LED.

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