Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

We have tried troubleshooting and we are still unsuccessful generating any power from lemon or potato.
We think we have everything hooked up correctly. We bought juicier lemons, soaked potato in water, etc..
Please help.

mmiller - Verify that your multimeter is functioning. Check the DC voltage ranges with a battery. Are your electrodes of the proper material? This is very important. The setup is fairly simple, so if the meter works and the electrodes are of the proper types of metal you should easily get a reading.

Rick Marz

mmiller - Another possibility is that your load, the light bulb in this case, may be putting such a large demand on your cell that you aren't reading any voltage. It might be acting as a short circuit. Try to do the voltage measurement without a load, or as an open circuit. Just measure voltage across the electrodes. Check the specifications on your light bulb to see if it is appropriate for this kind of 'veggie battery'.

Rick Marz

Thank you!! As an adult, I still find science daunting. I never thought to question the equipment, I only doubted myself. I quickly determined that the multimeter was not working, fixed it, and as you said - very simple experiment. Recorded higher voltage with potatoe than lemon, which surprised my son.
Thank you again for your speedy reply to my distress call.
Thank you!