The Buzz on

Electrolytes from Celebrating Chemistry

W hen you sweat you lose important

electrolytes like sodium, chloride, and
potassium. One major function of electrolytes
Procedure
1. Use the marking pen to label each of the four cups.
Label one cup “Distilled Water”, another, “Sports Drink”,
is that they help to conduct electrical currents the third with “Juice”, and the last “Vegetable Oil”.
in your body and allow muscles to contract 2. Fill each of the cups with the four different liquids until
and relax. We usually get enough electrolytes it is about ¾ full.
from our regular diet. For example, both 3. Completely cover each of the craft sticks with alumi-
bananas and raisins are rich in potassium. num foil.
We also get plenty of sodium and chloride
4. Grab your buzzer. It should have one red and one black
from the table salt that is used to flavor foods wire. If necessary, untwine the wires so that your adult
and even some drinks! In this activity, you partner can easily set up the activity.
will make a sensor to test for the presence of
5. Have your adult partner use the transparent tape
electrolytes in everyday liquids. Listen for the to tape the red wire to the positive end of the bat-
buzz. It will let you know if they are there. tery. It will have a “+” sign.
6. Next grab the other craft stick. Have your adult
Be sure to follow Milli’s Safety
SAFETY! partner tape the black wire of the buzzer to the
Tips and do this activity with
craft stick.
an adult! Do not eat or drink any of the materials
used in this activity. 7. Then tape your other craft stick to the negative
end of the battery. It will have a “–” sign. Your
electrolyte tester should now be ready.
Materials Permanent marking pen
4 disposable plastic cups
2 mini craft sticks (4 oz.)
8. Take the craft sticks and gently place them about an
Aluminum foil 1 paper towel sheet inch apart from each other in the cup labeled “Distilled
Buzzer (available at electronics
store, like Radio Shack, model
Distilled water Water”. Did the buzzer make a sound? Record your
#273-55) Sports drink results and note whether electrolytes were present in
9V battery Juice
Vegetable Oil the “What Did You Observe?” section.
Transparent tape
9. Rinse the craft sticks with the distilled water and wipe
them dry with a paper towel, making sure there is no
liquid left on the sticks.
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 with the “Juice”, the “Sports
Drink” and the “Vegetable Oil”.
11. Thoroughly clean the work area and wash your hands.
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sticks in a recycling bin.

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 The Buzz on Electrolytes page 2

What Did You Observ

e?
Cup Buzzed Electrolytes presen
t?
(Yes or No)
Distilled water Where’s the Chemistry?
Although electrolytes are invisible to
Sport Drink
our eyes, you detected their pres-
Juice ence when you heard the sensor
Vegetable Oil
buzz. In this experiment, the elec-
tricity from the battery was passed
through the aluminum foil on the
first craft stick. The solutions that
contained electrolytes acted like a
wire by letting the electricity pass
from the first craft stick to the
Try this… second craft stick, and eventually
Test whether other drinks, such to the buzzer.
as milk, soda or lemonade, have
electrolytes present.

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American Chemical Society ©2008
www.acs.org/kids ACS Green C
Chemistry for Life Chemistry for Life
TM

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TM
Science Activities for Kids
T he American Chemical Society develops
materials for elementary school age children
to spark their interest in science and teach devel-
opmentally appropriate chemistry concepts. The
Activities for Children collection includes hands-on
activities, articles, puzzles, and games on topics
related to children’s everyday experiences.
The collection can be used to supplement the
science curriculum, celebrate National Chemis-
try Week, develop Chemists Celebrate Earth Day
events, invite children to give science a try at a
large event, or to explore just for fun at home.
Find more activities, articles, puzzles and games
at www.acs.org/kids.
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Chemistry for Life
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from the American Chemical Society
Safety Tips
This activity is intended for elementary school children
under the direct supervision of an adult. The American
Chemical Society cannot be responsible for any accidents
or injuries that may result from conducting the activities
without proper supervision, from not specifically following
directions, or from ignoring the cautions contained in the
text.
Always:
• Work with an adult.
• Read and follow all directions for the activity.
• Read all warning labels on all materials being used.
• Wear eye protection.
• Follow safety warnings or precautions, such as wearing
gloves or tying back long hair.
• Use all materials carefully, following the directions given.
• Be sure to clean up and dispose of materials properly when
you are finished with anactivity.
• Wash your hands well after every activity.
Never:
• Never eat or drink while conducting an experiment, and
be careful to keep all of the materials used away from your
mouth, nose, and eyes!
• Never experiment on your own!
For more detailed information on safety go to www.acs.
org/education and click on “Safety Guidelines”
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