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This Penny Battery activity also includes:
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Use pennies to light an LED. Class members follow the provided directions to build a multi-celled battery powered by pennies. Using stacks of pennies of varying heights, pupils control the voltage of the battery to light different colors of LED lights.
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NGSS:
Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
- Research how batteries work
Classroom Considerations
- Requires post-1982 US pennies
- The voltmeter will allow for calculation of the number of volts each cell produces
Pros
- Videos show how to construct the battery
- Provides teaching tips on why the battery might not work
Cons
- Destroys pennies