Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Can copper battery coin vinegar and aluminum foil can enable 12 dc motor works?

Hello,

ScienceBuddies is intended for use with science fair projects. Can you tell us a bit more about your project so we can help?

Thanks,

Audrey

We made a coin battery using copper, is it possible to work on 12 volts dc motor?

A coin battery is typically 1.5 to 3V, so theoretically, if you connect enough of them in series to get to 12V, you can drive a 12Vdc motor. However, depending on how big the motor (Horsepower) relative to the available energy of the battery, you may only be run the motor for a very short time. (In fact, if the motor have high enough mass, you may not be able to start the motor)

Good Luck!
Willey

I used copper coin and I tested it increase the voltage up to 8 volts but still didn't work.

Hi,
I am afraid I don't understand what you are trying to do. Why 8V? If your motor is 12Vdc, you need to apply at least that voltage to turn the motor. (A real simple test would be to go get a standard 9V battery and see if it turns the motor - I am going to guess it's going to struggle but it depends on the motor design.)

Good Luck!
Willey

energize - Voltage is only one component of the power equation. What is the current requirement to energize and operate the motor? Ideally, your coin battery may be capable of delivering the current (probably milliamperes for a very small motor) at 12 volts terminal voltage. This would describe the impedence of your power source. As others have suggested, the electro-chemistry of these materials may develop 2-3 volts, therefore several cells would have to be connected in series to achieve 12 volts. Depending on the current requirements of the motor, the 'coin' electrodes may have to be large, possibly the size of a pie plate. Easy to calculate when you know the current requirements of the motor and the output current of your battery in milliamperes per square inch of cell size.

Rick Marz

Thank you for all the comments