Passionist Sisters’ School

Chapter 1

Introduction

Every one of us is familiar with the school experiment involving a lemon

conducting electricity. This 5th grader experiment, though simple, still arouses
curiousity in people of all ages. However, there are many who still don’t know as
to how and why electricity is produced from a lemon. In this article we will try to
untravel the mystery once and for all. All of us know how an electrochemical
battery works.

The construction and working of the lemon experiment can be compared

to a conventional battery having electrodes and electrolyte. “Lemon battery”, as
the experiment is popularly known, requires two external metal electrodes in the
same way;however the electrolyte is supplied by the lemon itself.
Statement of the Problem

This study focuses on how Lemon can produce electricity on any devices
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1.) Can Lemon produce electricity?

2.) How Lemon provide electricity?
3.) Can we benefit the usage of Lemon?
4.) Does the Lemon helps us?

Hypothesis

Scope and Delimitation

The construction of a lemon battery can be compared to a conventional

battery. A conventional battery has the components of electrodes and
electrolytes; same with the lemon battery having the zinc nail and the copper coin
as the electrodes and the lemon itself as the electrolytes.

A lemon battery is limited to power a cell phone depending on its critic acid
content. such lemons cannot conduct electricity as much as a juicy lemon.
Overripe lemons lose its critic acid and content; the less citric acid and the higher
the pH level of a lemon, the less it will be suited to conduct electricity.

Significance of the Study

The result of the study will be beneficial to the following:

To the Students -

To the School -

To the Parents -
Definitions of terms

Anode – is an electrode through which conventional current flows

into a polarized electrical devices.

Cathode – is the electrode from which a conventional current

leaves a polarized electrical device.

Citric acid – is a weak organic tricarboxylic acid having the

chemical formula C6H8O7. it occurs naturally in citrus fruits.
 Chapter 2

Review Related Literature

Lemons, also referred to by the Latin name Citrus × limon, are produced

on a small evergreen tree that is native to regions in Asia. The lemon tree was
introduced to Europe sometime around 1 A.D., but was not widely cultivated
there until the 15th century. Christopher Columbus introduced lemon seeds to
the Americas during his voyages of discovery. Lemons are mainly produced
commercially in China and Mexico, as well as the South American countries of
Brazil and Argentina.

Useful parts of the Lemon

When it comes to lemons, nearly the entire fruit can be used for health
benefits.

The juice of Lemons is often widely used to gain these health benefits as it
is easily extracted from the fruit. Tonics are often made from the juice for a
refreshing drink and for health purposes. Lemon juice is an acid (pH 2-3) as it is
made up of about 5% Citric Acid.

The word Citric Acid is often confused with the scientific name of Vitamin
C which is Ascorbic Acid, as Lemon Juice also contains lots of Vitamin C.
Lemons are one of the only foods that are anionic (alkaline) but this only applies
to fresh lemons, as after about half an hour of reacting with the air (oxidation)
lemon juice becomes cationic (acidic). (The only other edible substance that is
anionic is pure Calcium).

Leaves from the lemon tree can be used to make teas and for flavouring
when cooking meats and sea foods.

The fruit and grated peel are frequently used in the preparation of foods and
beverages for flavor and aroma.
How to Take

Lemons can serve as a health aid in many forms, including as an essential

oil to be inhaled or applied topically, as a juice, a tea, as a bath water or facial
and body wash. It can also be used as a natural antibacterial cleaning agent.

Vitamin C

Lemons are most known for their Vitamin C content. With 53 grams of
Vitamin C, one lemon provides more than 60 percent of the daily recommended
allowance for this nutrient. Lemons also contain a range of other vitamins and
minerals.

Essential Oils

Lemon essential oil is derived from the rind, which makes up about 45
percent of the lemon. Lemon peel contains over 200 compounds, both volatile
and non-volatile. Lemon oil contains about 70 percent limonene and about 20
percent other monoterpenes.

This oil also contains about 6 percent aldehydes, alcohols, and esters,
such as citral and linalool, with less than 1 percent concentration of coumarins.

Health Benefits

Below are some of the most interesting health benefits of lemons and their
essential oils:

Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon essential oil has many health benefits and coupled with its
delightful and distinctive aroma it is no wonder it is a highly desirable
aromatherapy oil. It is a very versatile remedy for the whole body. The essential
oils can be used in the following ways: they can be inhaled as aromas, taken
internally if diluted, or applied topically for a variety of conditions.
Improve mood

Studies performed by The Ohio State University showed that subjects

exposed to lemon oil aroma were consistently affected with improved and more
positive mood outcomes. In fact, levels of the feel-good chemical
neurotransmitter called norepinephrine were actually increased upon inhalation
of lemon, showing an actual physical and emotional effect within the brain.

Improve energy and alertness

The scent of lemons can also improve brain functioning, increasing

alertness, mental focus, and clarity. The revitalizing effects of lemon oil are due
to its uplifting and energizing scent. Lemon oil may also be taken internally for an
energy boost.

Antimicrobial properties

Lemon oil has antimicrobial properties, making it excellent at reducing

many types of bacteria, viruses, and fungus. It can be used internally to help with
cold and flu symptoms and to help gastrointestinal disturbances. Lemon oil
makes an excellent mouthwash and can be applied to affected skin areas to
reduce inflammation and microbial activity.

Astringent effects

Lemon oil helps to dissolve oils and reduce oil production on the skin and
hair, making it a good choice for the treatment of acne. Lemon oil also has
lightening effects that can be used on the skin or in the hair.

Lemons Help with Acne

The citric acid and vitamin C contained in lemons have been shown to
work wonders for acne patients. As an alkaline fruit, lemons also kill many forms
of bacteria that are known to cause acne. Drinking lemon juice with water every
morning is the easiest way to tap into these healing properties, but there are
some more powerful solutions for those suffering with worse cases of acne.
 Mixing one part of lemon juice with one part of rose or honey water and
placing it on areas of the skin affected by acne has been shown to be an
effective solution. The solution is to be left on the skin for a half hour and then
washed off with water. This procedure is to be repeated twice daily.

Another treatment is to apply fresh lemon juice directly to affected areas

with a cotton ball or swab and leave it overnight. The solution should then be
cleaned off in the morning. As this is the least diluted of all the above solutions, it
has a tendency to burn at first, but is considered the most effective way to use
lemons to treat acne.

Reduce Negative Emotions

Not only are lemons good for the skin, but seemingly for the psyche as
well. Consumption of lemons, or even just inhaling the aroma (aromatherapy)
has been shown to improve mood and lessen or even remove tension,
nervousness, anxiety, exhaustion, dizziness, and fatigue.

Lemons are also thought to improve concentration, which is why so many

room fresheners and air sprays are lemon scented. Some people even squeeze
a few lemon drops on a handkerchief and inhale it to help with focus.

Treat Canker Sores

Lemons have scientifically proven antiviral and antibacterial qualities. A

glass of lukewarm lemon juice mixed with water swished around the mouth three
times a day has been shown to cure canker sores. As canker sores are open
wounds, there may be some burning at first, but this is to be expected until the
wounds become more sterilized.

Lemons Cure Fevers

Lemons have long been thought to help with fevers as well, an offshoot of
the calming properties of the fruit. Hot water, lemon juice, and honey mixed
together is a great solution to a fever. Consume every two hours until the fever
subsides.

Colds and the Flu

Lemons have a twofold positive effect on colds and the flu. The vitamin C
helps with the internal infection, while the antiviral properties of the lemon will
help with the mucous membranes of your throat and mouth.

It is best to treat a cold or a flu at the very beginning and flood your
system with as much vitamin C from lemons as you can find. Squeeze lemon
juice fresh and mix with lukewarm water. Consume every two hours.

You can use lemon juice as a gargle as well as a juice to help with the
throat problems that colds and the flu cause. Combine with a little sea salt to help
with a sore throat.

A Topical Solution for Corns

Slices of lemon placed between a bandage and a corn provide much

needed nutrients to the callous part of the injury. The use of lemon essential oil is
also proven to work wonders for calloused areas.

Help Relieve Eczema

Eczema sufferers have found relief from lemon wraps. Dilute a small
amount of lemon essential oil combined with honey in lukewarm water. Soak a
cloth made of linen in this solution, squeeze out the extra solution, and place the
cloth on the area of the body affected by eczema for 15 minutes at a time, 3
times a day.

Lemons Fight Fatigue

Long distance runners and hikers are known to simply stick a straw in the
top of a lemon for a much needed boost of energy. Lemon juice seems to quench
thirst much more effectively than water alone, and the taste and aroma seem to
stimulate the brain, giving a much needed mental boost that also helps fight
fatigue.

Lemon Peel can Reduce Cholesterol

A recent study has shown that eating Lemon Peel can be effective in
lowering cholesterol. It's thought this is not just due to the pectin concentration of
lemon peel, but to a variety of active ingredients in the peel.

Varieties

With the resumption of lemon-growing in Florida, workers at the Citrus

Experiment Station, Lake Alfred, began a search for the most suitable cultivars,
whether in dooryards, or in the United States Department of Agriculture planting
at Orlovista, or the Lake Alfred collection.

By late 1950, 200 selections had been brought together from various parts
of the United States. Of these, 40 were budded onto 30-year-old grapefruit trees
on rough lemon rootstock on the Minute Maid property at Avon Park. Two
selections grown elsewhere were included in the studies-evaluation for
thorniness, cold-and disease-susceptibility, sizes, juiciness, flavor, number of
segments and seeds, yields, and quality of peel oil.

The majority of the selections were judged undesirable; only a few showed
promise for processing and fresh fruit marketing purposes. For processing,
'Villafranca' rated highest, followed by 'Eustis', 'Bearss', 'Perkin' and 'Avon'. Any
of these, properly harvested and cured would be suitable for marketing fresh.
Libby, McNeil & Libby,

when planning for their lemon orchard at Babson Park, Florida, about
1948, tested varieties from all major lemon-producing areas of the world and
chose 'Bearss' as rating highest in quality and quantity of juice, which was their
chief concern at the time. In 1960, they added marketing of the fresh fruit and
found the 'Bearss' equally desirable for this purpose.
 The following are brief descriptions of most of the better known cultivars of
true lemons and of lemon-like fruits that are accepted as lemons in home or
commercial usage, and a few of the lesser-known.

Sweet Lemon 

a general name for certain non-acid lemons or limettas, favored in the

Mediterranean region, In India, they are grown in the Nilgiris, Malabar and other
areas. The fruits are usually insipid, occasionally subacid or acid. The seeds are
white within and the tree is large, resembling that of the orange. One cultivar,
called 'Dorshapo' after the plant explorers,

Dorsett, Shamel and Popenoe, who introduced it from Brazil in 1914,

resembles the 'Eureka' in most respects except for the lack of acidity. Another,
called 'Millsweet', apparently was introduced into California from Mexico and
planted in a mission garden. It was reproduced at the old University of California
Experiment Station at Pomona. Neither is of any commercial value.