CHAPTER ITHE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
IntroductionThe world is blessed by the abundance of energy. It
comprises various types of energy. One of this is electrical energy
or electricity. Electricity is one of the most powerful forces in
our lives.This term makes us to remind of that anything that an
individual plug into the outlet, an electric current will flow to
the device. It is the key component for the modern society everyone
has today. Without this, our world is totally different.People
continue to prosper the knowledge of producing electricity. As the
result, inventions of electricity-producing products are made.
Since its invention, the battery has become the most common power
source for many household and industrial applications. A battery
converts chemical energy to electrical energy. Each cell contains
positive terminal, cathode and negative terminal, anode. There are
many ways to construct a battery, as well as ways to control its
generated output. Each component is highly needed to produce the
expected outcome of the endeavor. It shows that searching new ways
of producing electricity is not possible. Its also impressive to
know how vinegar can produce electricity and how it will help the
environment. With this research, each individuals curiosity will be
captivated.
Background of the Study
To widen our knowledge about generating new source of electrical
energy, the researchers come up with an idea to prove other
alternative basis of electricity. They arrived to ascertain the
vinegar battery that can generate electricity. The basic principles
of positive and negative charges can be demonstrated by making a
simple battery like this. This experimental set-up uses the
positive and negative ions from the copper and zinc. When the
electrodes (copper and zinc) are immersed in vinegar, they draw
ions from the vinegar, and the movement of the ions creates an
electrical current.The researchers prioritize not only the
discovery of the vinegar battery as an alternative source but also
as renewable source of energy. A vinegar battery may not be as
strong as other commercial batteries. However, this is cheaper than
other batteries. After all, vinegar is freely available anywhere.
It is also environmental friendly because it doesnt contain
hazardous and toxic elements. This is something that seems like
magic to most people, but is really simple science. This energy if
guided correctly can power devices.
Statement of the Problem
General Objective:The main objective of this study is to show
the effectiveness and usefulness of the vinegar battery in
producing electrical energy.
Specific Objective:1. Determine if vinegar can conduct
electricity.2. Find out the relation of each component (vinegar,
copper strip and galvanized nails) in the production of electrical
energy.3. Discover the effectiveness of vinegar battery, in terms
of:a) Voltage productionb) Number of devicesc) Life span of
materials usedHypothesis1. Vinegar does not conduct electricity.2.
Vinegar, copper strip and galvanized nails are not related to each
other. 3. Overall, vinegar battery is not effective as an
alternative source of electrical energy.
Significance of the Study
Nowadays, many scientists are doing several researches to
overcome the energy crisis. All of us will experience a great loss
about that. People used to be in the world of having electricity.
As a result, it would be a dilemma for everybody.Electrical energy
provides us the easiness in doing different things. Everyone use
this in everyday life. It is used throughout the world in giving
power for every appliance each have. It gives the amusement and
swept out the boredom. And also, comfort to an individual who is
displeased of something. Because of wanting to satisfy everything
easily, people depend to the things theyre used to. They forgot
that they have capabilities to make solutions to simple things.
This study opens each mind that everyone can make their own way in
simplifying problems. By this, people will have the knowledge on
what to do if the time comes. It is very important to obtain an
idea for everything.
Scope and Limitation of the Study
The concentration of the study is all about the usefulness and
effectiveness of the vinegar battery in forming electrical energy
to devices such as digital clock and calculator.
Definition of Terms
Electrical energy It is the energy carried by moving electrons
in an electric conductor. It cannot be seen, but it is one of our
most useful forms of energy because it is relatively easy to
transmit and use. All matter consists of atoms, and every atom
contains one or more electrons, which are always moving. When
electrons are forced along a path in a conducting substance such as
a wire, the result is energy called electricity.Battery Or a cell
that converts chemical energy to electrical energy through positive
and negative terminal.Vinegar Produces free ions in
solution.Galvanized nails (Zinc) Serves as negative terminal of the
battery.Copper Serves as positive terminal of the battery.
CHAPTER IIREVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIESThis chapter
presents the related literature and studies from foreign or local.
Through this, additional information to widen researchers idea is
observed. Also, it leads as the basis of the study, The
Effectiveness of vinegar as a battery.Related LiteratureInvention
of BatteryThe making of battery was such a phenomenal success after
all the different scientists been through. Voltas experiment and
study brought us today the battery. As time goes by, different
kinds were made and improved.It all started in 1780 when Luigi
Galvaniwas dissecting a frog affixed to abrasshook. When he touched
its leg with his iron scalpel, the leg twitched. He believed the
energy that drove this contraction came from the leg itself, and
called it "animal electricity".However,Alessandro Volta, his friend
and fellow scientist, disagreed, believing this phenomenon was
caused by two different metals joined together by a moist
intermediary. He verified this hypothesis through experiment, and
published the results in 1791. In 1800, Volta invented the first
true battery, which came to be known as thevoltaic pile. Thevoltaic
pileconsisted of pairs ofcopperandzincdiscs piled on top of each
other, separated by a layer of cloth or cardboard soaked
inbrine(i.e., theelectrolyte). Unlike theLeyden jar, the voltaic
pile produced a continuous and stable current, and lost little
charge over time when not in use, though his early models could not
produce a voltage strong enough to produce sparks.He experimented
with various metals and found that zinc and silver gave the best
results.Volta believed the current was the result of two different
materials simply touching each otheranobsolete scientific
theoryknown as contact tensionand not the result of chemical
reactions. As a consequence, he regarded the corrosion of the zinc
plates as an unrelated flaw that could perhaps be fixed by changing
the materials somehow. However, no scientist ever succeeded in
preventing this corrosion. In fact, it was observed that the
corrosion was faster when a higher current was drawn. This
suggested that the corrosion was actually integral to the battery's
ability to produce a current. This, in part, led to the rejection
of Volta'scontact tension theoryin favor of electrochemical theory.
Volta's illustrations of his Crown of Cups and voltaic pile have
extra metal disks, now known to be unnecessary, on both the top and
bottom. The figure associated with this section, of the zinc-copper
voltaic pile, has the modern design; an indication that contacts
tension" is not the source ofelectromotive forcefor the voltaic
pile.Volta's original pile models had some technical flaws, one of
them involving theelectrolyteleaking and causing short-circuits due
to the weight of the discs compressing the brine-soaked cloth. A
Scotsman namedWilliam Cruickshanksolved this problem by laying the
elements in a box instead of piling them in a stack. This was known
as thetrough battery.Volta himself invented a variant that
consisted of a chain of cups filled with a salt solution, linked
together by metallic arcs dipped into the liquid. This was known as
the Crown of Cups. These arcs were made of two different metals
(e.g., zinc and copper) soldered together. This model also proved
to be more efficient than his original piles,though it did not
prove as popular.Another problem with Volta's batteries was short
battery life (an hour's worth at best), which was caused by two
phenomena. The first was that the current produced electrolyzed the
electrolyte solution, resulting in a film ofhydrogenbubbles forming
on thecopper, which steadily increased the internal resistance of
the battery (This effect, calledpolarization, is counteracted in
modern cells by additional measures). The other was a phenomenon
calledlocal action, wherein minute short-circuits would form around
impurities in the zinc, causing the zinc to degrade. The latter
problem was solved in 1835 byWilliam Sturgeon, who found that
amalgamated zinc, whose surface had been treated with somemercury,
didn't suffer from local action. Despite its flaws, Volta's
batteries provided a steadier current than Leyden jars, and made
possible many new experiments and discoveries, such as the first
electrolysis of water by Anthony Carlisle and William Nicholson.
*Source: WikipediaRelated StudiesSaltwater BatterySalt molecules
are made of sodium ions and chlorine ions. (Anionis an atom that
has an electrical charge because it has either gained or lost an
electron.) When you put salt in water, the water molecules pull the
sodium and chlorine ions apart so they are floating freely. These
ions are what carry electricity through water. *Source: Home
Science ToolsA. Copper, zinc, and saltA different chemistry happens
when salt is used instead of acid in the water. Salt breaks up in
water to make positive sodium ions and negative chloride ions.
These ions reduce the energy needed for water to split into
hydroxide ions (OH-) and hydrogen ions H+(the hydrogen ions quickly
find another water molecule and create hydronium ions, H3O+).At the
zinc strip, the zinc ion combines with four hydroxide ions to form
one ion of zincates (Zn(OH)42-), leaving two electrons behind on
the zinc strip. The chlorine ions from the salt then combine with
the hydronium ions left over when the hydroxide ions were taken
away by the zinc, and form hydrochloric acid.Over on the copper
strip, four electrons combine with oxygen dissolved in the water
and two molecules of water to form four hydroxide ions. The sodium
ions from the salt combine with these hydroxide ions to make sodium
hydroxide.The hydrochloric acid and the sodium hydroxide combine
back into salt. So the salt is merely in the picture as a way to
move charges through the water. It is not used up.We can summarize
what happens at the zinc strip (called theanodethis way:Zn +
4OH-Zn(OH)42-+ 2e-
4Cl-+ 4H2O4HCl + 4OH-
Zn(OH)42-ZnO + H2O + 2OH-
At the copper strip (called thecathode) we have:O2+ 2H2O +
4e-4OH-.
4Na++ 4OH-4NaOH
Now it shows why it is called a zinc-air battery. The oxygen
from the air is combining with the zinc. The copper electrode is
just there to conduct the electrons, and does not participate in
the chemistry. It can be replaced with a carbon rod.You may notice
that after a short while, the oxygen in the battery is used up, and
the current (and thus the brightness of the LED) begins to drop.
Stirring the salt water helps to put more oxygen in the water, and
the LED gets bright again. *Source: Sci-ToysIn this experiment, it
proves that solution like Saltwater can carries ions that produce
electricity. Lemon BatteryThe citric acid in the lemon provided the
electrolyte component. A galvanized nail provided the zinc anode
(negative terminal), and a copper penny provided the cathode
(positive terminal).*Source: Home School and ThingsB. Copper, zinc,
and acidIn the case of the copper and zinc strips, the copper holds
onto its atoms more strongly than the zinc does. The zinc strip is
therefore more negative than the copper strip, and the electrons
flow from the zinc to the copper.When the forces are eventually
balanced, the copper strip ends up with more electrons than the
zinc strip. The zinc strip now has fewer electrons, and it cannot
attract the zinc ions back to the strip.If the battery just had
water in it, not much more would happen. But the Coca-Cola battery
has water plusphosphoric acid. The vinegar battery has water
plusacetic acid. An acid is something that has an easily detached
hydrogen ion. Hydrogen ions are positive, and the remaining part of
the acid becomes negative when it loses the hydrogen ion. In our
two batteries, the remaining parts are the phosphate ion and the
acetate ion, respectively.So what happens when those entire
positively charged zinc ions bumps into those negatively charged
phosphate ions? They phosphate ion is more strongly attracted to
the zinc ion than to the hydrogen ion. The positively charged
hydrogen ion is attracted to the copper strip, because the copper
strip has the extra electrons, and is thus negative (opposite
charges attract).The hydrogen ions attract the electrons from the
copper, and become neutral hydrogen atoms. These join up in pairs
to become hydrogen molecules, and form bubbles on the copper strip.
Eventually the bubbles become big enough to float up to the surface
and leave the system entirely.Now the copper strip no longer has
the extra electrons. It attracts more from the zinc strip through
the connecting wire, as it did when it first connected the wire.The
copper ions next to the copper strip are not as attracted to the
strip as they were before. The hydrogen ions keep taking the
electrons that attracted the copper ions. So those ions are free to
move through the liquid.At the zinc strip, zinc ions are being
removed, leaving extra electrons. Some of those electrons travel
through the wire to the copper strip. But some of them encounter
the copper ions that happen to bump into the zinc strip. Those ions
grab the electrons, and become copper atoms. We can see those atoms
build up on the zinc strip. They look like a black film, because
the oxygen in the water combines with the copper to form black
copper oxide.Eventually, all of the zinc is eaten up, and the
copper and copper oxide falls into a pile beneath where the zinc
strip used to be. The battery is now dead, and no more electrons
flow through the wire. If there was not a lot of acid in the water,
it may be the first thing to be used up, and the battery may die
while there is still some zinc left on the zinc strip.*Source:
Sci-Toys
The study about lemon battery as the researchers compares it to
vinegar battery are almost the same in terms of its components and
its capability to produce ions.
CHAPTER IIIRESEARCH METHODOLOGYThe study developed by the
researchers entitled Vinegar Battery, in accordance to all the
related studies, was conducted by knowing the definition of
research methodology itself. Research methodology is the
systematic, theoretical analysis of the methods applied in studying
a given phenomenon. These are planned, scientific and designed to
test the accuracy of the outcome.This chapter includes the research
design, subject of the study, materials and procedures and sources
of data.Research designThis study used experimental method of
research. This method shows the cause-effect nature of relationship
between vinegar, copper and zinc. It shows the steps and flow of
the process on how the study acquired. It is used to prove if this
kind of battery is efficient in producing electricity. And also,
the guide of the researchers in preparation of the product had
taken.
IDENTIFYING THE SOURCESVinegar
Galvanized Nail (Zinc)CopperStrip
FORMULATION OF DESIGN OUTPUT
CONSTRUCTION OF DEVICE
TESTING THE DEVICE
OBSERVATION
Fig.3.1 Flowchart of ExperimentationIn identifying the sources,
the researchers chose variables that are consisted of elements that
are likely to conduct electrical energy. Vinegar, copper and zinc
in galvanized metals are the major components of the device.The
formulation of the design output serves as a direction to guide the
researchers on their visualized outcome. Vinegar serves as the
source of electrically charged ions. Copper strip and galvanized
metal serve as the electrodes. The copper strip or copper acts as
the positive terminal and the zinc in galvanized nail will be the
positive terminal of the vinegar battery.The construction of the
device is the application of the formulated design output.Testing
the device will prove if the construction is at good structure.By
means of observing the device, the researchers will be able to know
the modifications and the developments to be conducted to make the
device get better.Subject of the studyVinegar is the subject of the
study because of its components. It is the solution of acetic acid
and water whereas it produces ions which are electrically charged
atoms. Materials and proceduresHere are the lists of materials used
in doing the vinegar battery:
22
Container/s (P 15) Vinegar- 4.5% acetic acid (P 18) Copper
strip/s ( P 30) Connecting wires LED bulb Galvanized nail/s ( P 24)
Alligator clips ( P 24) VoltmeterThese are the following procedures
in order to make it:For SoloPrepare all the materials stated
above.Get the container and fill it with vinegar.Connect one ends
of copper strip and galvanized nail to the LED bulb using
connecting wires.Put the copper strip and galvanized nail on the
different side of container.Finally, observe what happens to the
LED bulb. To test how much electricity is produced, used the
voltmeter by replacing the position of the bulb.For SeriesPrepare
all the materials stated above.Take the two container and fill them
with vinegar.Get the zinc and a copper strip and connect one of the
ends of both the strips using a connecting wire.Put the connected
zinc strip in one of the glasses and copper strip in another
glass.. Connect the remaining copper and zinc strip to the LED
using two connecting wires.Then put the copper strip which is
connected to the LED in the glass which has zinc strip and LED
connected zinc strip in copper containing glass.Finally, observe
what happens to the LED bulb. To test how much electricity is
produced, used the voltmeter by replacing the position of the
bulb.Sources of dataThe main sources of data in this study came
from experiments and observations, related studies and in the
worldwide websites.
CHAPTER IVPresentation, Analysis and Interpretation of DataThis
chapter imparts the arrangement of data gathered and the methods
used, followed by the discussion of the attempts taken. The
findings were related to the research study together with the
layout of the product that was described, synthesized and modified.
Voltage Reading1 Volt per BatteryTotal volts = 6 V(for the
constructed series battery)
Table1.Voltage productionThe Researchers got 1V in each vinegar
battery. In a series vinegar battery, there were 6 batteries for a
total of 6V (1V X 6)Presentation of FindingsDeviceNumber of
VoltsNumber of Vinegar BatteryResults
1. White LED Bulb(From Flash Light) 3.8V1No Effect
Table2. Presentation of first attemptThe Table 2 illustrates the
first trial of the solo vinegar battery. The above results
determine the effects of the vinegar battery to the device, if its
effective or not in generating electricity. The finished experiment
to the device brought the No Effect result.DeviceNumber of
VoltsNumber of Vinegar BatteryResults
1. White LED Bulb(From Flash Light)3.8V36Dim LightBright
Table3. Presentation of second attemptThe table 3 illustrates
the second attempt of the researchers to see the capability of the
constructed series of vinegar battery. The first 3-Vinegar Battery
produced an adequate amount of light. To witness more potential of
the vinegar battery, another 3-Vinegar Battery was added, for total
of 6-Vinegar Battery. The series vinegar battery produced maximum
light that the whit LED bulb could produce.
CHAPTER VSUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONSThis chapter
presents the review and summarize of the study that was conducted.
The review of purpose of the study, restatement of research
questions and the research design or methodology is all included in
summary. The conclusion specified below is based on the result of
research. Furthermore, the recommendation is made for other related
studies.SummaryThe purpose of this study is to show the
effectiveness and usefulness of the vinegar battery in producing
electrical energy. This requires the following questions to be
answer:1. Determine the purpose of vinegar in producing
electricity.2. Find out the connection of each component in the
production of electrical energy.3. Discover the effectiveness of
vinegar battery, in terms of:a) Voltage productionb) Number of
devicesc) Life span of materials usedThe researchers used
experimental method of research to gather data needed in the study.
It helps to manipulate the variables used and able to explain how a
certain thing happens.After the experimentation, researchers
examine and evaluate carefully all the findings gathered. Those
results are stated below: The researchers got 1V in each vinegar
battery. In a series vinegar battery, there were 6 batteries for a
total of 6V (1V X 6). The first trial of the solo vinegar battery
results to the device brought the No Effect result. For the second
attempt, the researchers used the first 3-Vinegar Battery that
produced an adequate amount of light. Another 3-Vinegar Battery was
added, for total of 6-Vinegar Battery. The series vinegar battery
produced maximum light that the whit LED bulb could
produce.ConclusionBase on the findings obtained by the researchers,
the following conclusions were drawn: Vinegar is an effective
alternative source of electricity. The copper strips and galvanized
nails are important materials in the study. For these contribute in
helping vinegar to create electrical energy. When those two
immersed in vinegar, they draw ions from the vinegar, and the
movement of the ions creates an electrical current. The life span
of the materials (copper strip and galvanized nail) depends on its
thickness.
RecommendationAfter gathering data and having assumptions, some
recommendations were proposed: Make at least 3 or more constructed
batteries to produce enough electrical energy. Use thicker
materials (copper strip and galvanized nail) in order to use
vinegar battery for a longer time. Try to check first the voltage
produced by the vinegar battery to be aware of what device to be
used.
APPENDICESDocumentation
Researchers Data
Name: Ika Clarish M. BalaoroAddress: Blk. 43 Lot 8 Ph.6 Mabuhay,
Mamatid, Cabuyao, LagunaBirth Date: October 14, 1997Age: 17 years
oldSex: Female
Name: Kimberly Marie C. De LemosAddress: Blk. 1 Lot 162
SouthVille, Banay-banay, Cabuyao, LagunaBirth Date: February 17,
1997Age: 17 years oldSex: Female
Name: Jennifer ElepAddress: Blk. 122 Lot 30 Ph.2 Mabuhay,
Mamatid, Cabuyao, LagunaBirth Date: October 14, 1996 Age: 18 years
oldSex: Female
Name: Alexandra E. IbaleAddress: Blk. 34 Lot 16 Ph.5 Mabuhay,
Mamatid, Cabuyao, LagunaBirth Date: June 22, 1996Age: 18 years
oldSex: Female
Name: Janine S. IzarAddress: Blk. 222 Lot 1 Ph2 Mabuhay,
Mamatid, Cabuyao, LagunaBirth Date: March 13, 1997Age: 17 years
oldSex: Female
Financial StatementItemQuantityPrice/PieceTotal
Alligator Clip2Pairs12.00PHP24.00PHP
Copper Wire2yds.14.50PHP29.00PHP
Plastic Cups10pcs.1.50PHP15.00PHP
Galvanized Gi2pcs.10.75PHP21.50PHP
Galvanized Nail12pcs.2.00PHP24.00PHP.
Printing Expense1.00PHP30.00PHP
Vinegar1pack6.00PHP6.00PHP
Wood2pcs.25.00PHP50.00PHP
1pc.50.00PHP50.00PHP
TOTAL249.50PHP