Investigation of whether or not

temperature affects the voltage

given off by mandarin oranges

Investigation of whether or not temperature

affects the voltage given off by mandarin
oranges
Purpose: Does the temperature of citric acid affect the voltage, made
by a mandarin orange battery?
Hypothesis: The hottest temperature will give off the greatest amount
of voltage.
Materials:
-

9 mandarin oranges of approximate size

Two metal conductors (iron and copper electrodes)
1 Voltmeter
Two alligator clips, one negative, one positive
One fridge
Microwave
One room at room temperature, 19-23 degrees Celsius.
Sharp scissors
Napkins
Ruler, preferably a bendable ruler

Procedure:
1. Get 9 equal size and approximate weight mandarin oranges,
about the size of a small fist.
2. Leave 3 mandarin oranges in room temperature, about 19 to 23
degrees Celsius, for 24 hours.
3. Refrigerate 3 mandarin oranges in the fridge for 24 hours.
4. Warm 3 more mandarin oranges in the microwave for 25
seconds, use precaution and hold them with napkins.
5. Cut two slits (using sharp scissors) on each end of the mandarin
orange, two centimeters into the flesh of the fruit. Use a ruler to
measure correctly. The slits must be at least 3 centimeters apart.
6. Shake the mandarin oranges to increase the flow of citric acid.

Prepared for: Ms. Hops

Course name: Science 6
Date submitted: 12/8/10
Erin Huang
Partners: Dominique Perry, Devyani McLaren

7. Insert a copper electrode positive conductor into each of the

mandarin oranges.
8. Insert an iron electrode negative conductor into each of the
mandarin oranges.
9. Connect alligator clips to both ends of the terminals, negative
and positive.
10.
Connect alligator clips to the voltmeter.
11.
Measure and record the voltage for the different
temperature mandarin oranges.
12.
Calculate the average voltage given off for the different
temperature mandarin oranges.

Independent variables:
- Heat, hot, cold, and room temperature
- Size and weight of the mandarin orange
- Different kind of electrodes (copper, zinc, aluminum, silver, etc)
Dependent variables:
- Voltage given off by different temperature mandarin oranges
Controlled variable:
- All mandarin oranges are from the same carton
- All mandarin oranges that are to be hot have to be warmed 25
secs in the microwave
- All mandarin oranges that are to be cold are to be put in the
refrigerator for 24 hrs
- All electrodes must be only copper and iron
- You must shake the mandarin oranges to increase the
movement of the citric acid in mandarin, furthering the flow of
electrons
Observations:
-

The small mandarin orange in the hot temperature section was

hotter than the others by a discernible degree
The slits cut in the mandarin oranges were sometimes off, and
the depth of the electrodes inserted was even more off
Shaking the mandarin oranges helped the flow of electrons,
especially for the
Compared to the other groups results, we found that
concentrated citric acid (fruit juices) and potatoes are better at
giving off voltage.

Discussion:
While doing the lab, it was proven that our hypothesis about hot
mandarins giving off more voltage was correct, as explained in the
following.
During the length of the lab, it was proven that the Molecular
Kinetic Theory is true, as the hot mandarins fared better in giving off
more voltage, compared to the room temperature or cold mandarins.
This is because of the Kinetic Molecular Theory, when atoms are hot,
the electrons find it harder to move through the conductor, as the
atoms are moving around wildly. The conversion of energy to light,
heat, or sound is when the atoms are used to tire out the electrons
trying to move through the conductor.
The overall result of the lab was:
Hot mandarin oranges gave off- 4.8 volts
Room temperatre mandarin oranges gave off- 3.1 volts (was
originally 3.06, but we rounded it off)
Cold mandarin oranges gave off- 4.0 volts
What was also learned that for the cold mandarin oranges, they
also gave off more voltage than the room temperature mandarins,
which was surprising, because when atoms are cold, they move less,
and when they move less, there is less energy generated. The
hypothesis for this is that they move faster in extreme temperatures in
general, not only in heat. Also, a confusing factor was that when atoms
are cold, it allots for more movement of electrons, and this would
increase the energy, although it was said that when electrons are
struggling to get through the conductor, it increases the electricity
gained. This was a puzzling factor and strained the understanding of
the Kinetic Molecular Theory.
The lab had a few shortcomings, such as minimal trials, and
during the testing of the hot mandarins, there was a rather small
mandarin, and it was warmed in the microwave for the same amount
of time as the other bigger mandarins, (25 secs). The smaller mandarin
with the same amount of time in the microwave meant that the heat is
more concentrated, and the overall temperature is higher. The results
were also more lopsided, with the result for the small mandarin at 5.6,
and the other two results were 4.4.
There could have been some more beneficial changes, such as
the sizes of the mandarins being more approximate, as it affects the
spread of heat. It would have been better if we couldve taken note of
the temperature of the mandarins when experime

Conclusion: Hot mandarin oranges are better at giving off voltage than
cold or room temperature mandarin oranges because of the Kinetic
Molecular Theory.

Prepared for: Ms. Hops

Science 6hero
12/3/10
Erin Huang
Partners: Dominique Perry, Devyani McLaren