CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

The 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. It’s also impressive to know how vinegar can produce electricity and

how it will help the environment. With this research, each individual’s curiosity

will be captivated.
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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 doesn’t 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.

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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 production

b) Number of devices

c) Life span of materials used

Hypothesis

1. 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.

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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 they’re 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.

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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 II

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 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This 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 Literature

Invention of Battery

The making of battery was such a phenomenal success after all the

different scientists been through. Volta’s 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 Galvani was dissecting a frog affixed to

a brass hook. 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 the voltaic pile. The voltaic pile consisted of pairs

of copper and zinc discs piled on top of each other, separated by a layer of

cloth or cardboard soaked in brine (i.e., the electrolyte). Unlike the Leyden jar,

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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 other—an obsolete scientific theory known as contact tension—

and 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's contact tension theory in 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 of electromotive

force for the voltaic pile.

Volta's original pile models had some technical flaws, one of them

involving the electrolyte leaking and causing short-circuits due to the weight of

the discs compressing the brine-soaked cloth. A Scotsman named William

Cruickshank solved this problem by laying the elements in a box instead of

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piling them in a stack. This was known as the trough 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

of hydrogen bubbles forming on the copper, which steadily increased the

internal resistance of the battery (This effect, called polarization, is

counteracted in modern cells by additional measures). The other was a

phenomenon called local action, wherein minute short-circuits would form

around impurities in the zinc, causing the zinc to degrade. The latter problem

was solved in 1835 by William Sturgeon, who found that amalgamated zinc,

whose surface had been treated with some mercury, 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: Wikipedia

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Related Studies

Saltwater Battery

Salt molecules are made of sodium ions and chlorine ions. (An ion is 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 Tools

A. Copper, zinc, and salt

A 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, H 3O+).

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

9
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 the anode this

way:

Zn + 4OH- ⇒ Zn(OH)42- + 2e-

4Cl- + 4H2O ⇒ 4HCl + 4OH-

Zn(OH)42- ⇒ ZnO + H2O + 2OH-

At the copper strip (called the cathode) 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

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the salt water helps to put more oxygen in the water, and the LED gets bright

again. *Source: Sci-Toys

In this experiment, it proves that solution like Saltwater can carries ions

that produce electricity.

Lemon Battery

The 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 Things

B. Copper, zinc, and acid

In 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 plus phosphoric acid. The vinegar battery has

water plus acetic acid. An acid is something that has an easily detached

hydrogen ion. Hydrogen ions are positive, and the remaining part of the acid
11
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.

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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 III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

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 The 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 design
This 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

SOURCES

Vinegar

Copper Galvaniz 14
ed Nail
Strip
(Zinc)
 FORMULATION OF DESIGN
OUTPUT

CONSTRUCTION OF DEVICE

TESTING THE DEVICE

OBSERVATION

Fig.3.1 Flowchart of Experimentation

In 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.

15
 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 study

Vinegar 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 procedures

Here are the lists of materials used in doing the vinegar battery:

➢ Container/s (P 15) (P 18)

➢ Vinegar- 4.5% acetic acid ➢ Copper strip/s ( P 30)

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 ➢ Connecting wires ➢ Alligator clips ( P 24)

➢ LED bulb ➢ Voltmeter

➢ Galvanized nail/s ( P 24)

These are the following procedures in order to make it:

For Solo

❖ Prepare 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 Series

❖ Prepare 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.

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❖ 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 data
The main sources of data in this study came from experiments and

observations, related studies and in the worldwide websites.

CHAPTER IV
Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data

This 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.

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Voltage Reading

Total volts = 6 V
1 Volt per Battery
(for the constructed series battery)

Table1.Voltage production

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)

Presentation of Findings

Number of Number of
Device Results
Volts Vinegar Battery

1. White LED Bulb 3.8V 1 No

(From Flash Light) Effect

Table2. Presentation of first attempt

The 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 it’s effective

or not in generating electricity. The finished experiment to the device brought

the “No Effect” result.

Device Number of Results

Volts

19
 Number of
Vinegar
Battery

1. White LED Bulb

3 Dim Light
(From Flash Light) 3.8V
6 Bright

Table3. Presentation of second attempt

The 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 V
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the review and summarize of the study that

was conducted. The review of purpose of the study, restatement of research

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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.

Summary

The 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 production

b) Number of devices

c) Life span of materials used

The 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).

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 ❖ 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.

Conclusion

Base 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.

Recommendation

After gathering data and having assumptions, some recommendations

were proposed:

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❖ 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.

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APPENDICES

Documentation

24
25
 Researchers’ Data

Name: Ika Clarish M. Balaoro

Address: Blk. 43 Lot 8 Ph.6 Mabuhay, Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna

Birth Date: October 14, 1997

Age: 17 years old

Sex: Female

Name: Kimberly Marie C. De Lemos

Address: Blk. 1 Lot 162 SouthVille, Banay-banay, Cabuyao, Laguna

Birth Date: February 17, 1997

Age: 17 years old

Sex: Female

Name: Jennifer Elep

Address: Blk. 122 Lot 30 Ph.2 Mabuhay, Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna

Birth Date: October 14, 1996

Age: 18 years old

Sex: Female

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Name: Alexandra E. Ibale

Address: Blk. 34 Lot 16 Ph.5 Mabuhay, Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna

Birth Date: June 22, 1996

Age: 18 years old

Sex: Female

Name: Janine S. Izar

Address: Blk. 222 Lot 1 Ph2 Mabuhay, Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna

Birth Date: March 13, 1997

Age: 17 years old

Sex: Female

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 Financial Statement

Item Quantity Price/Piece Total

Alligator Clip 2Pairs 12.00PHP 24.00PHP

Copper Wire 2yds. 14.50PHP 29.00PHP
Plastic Cups 10pcs. 1.50PHP 15.00PHP
Galvanized Gi 2pcs. 10.75PHP 21.50PHP
Galvanized Nail 12pcs. 2.00PHP 24.00PHP.
Printing Expense 1.00PHP 30.00PHP
Vinegar 1pack 6.00PHP 6.00PHP
Wood 2pcs. 25.00PHP 50.00PHP
1pc. 50.00PHP 50.00PHP

TOTAL 249.50PHP

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