2 potatoes, any variety 2 pieces of copper wire 2 galvanized nails 3 alligator clip assemblies (each should be 2 clips connected by wire) A 1-2 volt digital clock
If the clock does not have the positive (+) and negative (-) battery connectors labeled, mark them yourself using a permanent marker based on the way the batteries were connected. If they are labeled, the positive end will be marked with a “+” and the negative will be labeled with a “-“.
Each potato should have 1 nail and 1 copper wire sticking out of opposite ends. Make sure the nail and wire aren’t touching inside the potato.
Connect the copper wire in the first potato to the positive (+) terminal in the clock’s battery compartment using the first alligator clip. Connect the nail on the second potato to the negative (-) terminal in the clock. Use the third alligator clip unit to connect the nail in the first potato to the copper wire in the second one.
This method will not last for very long, so after confirming that it works, you may want to disconnect it if you hope to enter the clock into a science fair or present it to your class.
3 potatoes, any variety 3 copper strips or you can use pennies 3 galvanized nails 5 alligator clip units connected with wires (10 total clips) A 1-2 volt digital clock
Make sure the nail doesn’t break through the other side of the potato. Ensure you don’t press the nail into the potato so that it will make it touch the penny or copper strip you will insert text.
If using a copper strip, make sure you don’t insert it so far into the potato that it comes into contact with the nail. Try to separate your copper from the nail as much as possible in the potato.
Attach an alligator clip to the copper end of the first potato, then connect it to the nail on the second potato. Connect the copper end of the second potato to the nail of the third potato.
Attach the alligator clip unit from the nail to the negative (-) terminal inside the clock’s battery compartment. Attach the alligator clip unit coming from the final piece of copper to the positive (+) battery terminal.
Once connected securely, the clock will come on. You may want to disconnect it to avoid depleting the chemical energy in the potatoes if you need to show the experiment at a fair or in class.
Try replacing pennies with strips of copper to ensure a strong connection. Make sure each alligator clip is firmly attached where it belongs.
Connect an additional potato just as you connected the first ones: run an alligator clip unit from the copper of one potato to the galvanized nail on the next, then from the copper on that potato to the clock or the next potato. If another potato still does not make the clock work, there is either an issue with the connection or the clock.
Gatorade also contains phosphoric acid, which adds to its conductive properties.
Rolling the fruit on the table first can help break down the fruit’s interior, allowing fluid to travel more easily, and as a result, the electrical current.
Make sure the package you purchased the nails in says they are galvanized. While most nails are, this experiment will not work if they are not. Ensure the clock you purchased runs on 1-2 volts and takes a traditional “button-type” battery. You can see how many volts it requires on the product information on the package. [16] X Research source
