Research Plan
Scientific Investigation/Experiment
Name: Zeeya Hassim
Project topic: Making a battery out of sodium chloride (table
salt)
Category: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Introduction
Background Research
A saltwater battery is a type of battery that uses a mixture of
water and salt as its electrolyte. Unlike traditional batteries,
saltwater batteries are non-flammable and do not pollute as
much as alternative options. Thus, they are considered to be a
relatively eco friendly energy storage solution.
When you put salt in water, the water molecules pull the
sodium and chloride ions apart so they are floating freely,
increasing the conductivity. These ions are what carry
electricity through the water with an electric currents. In short,
saltwater ( water+ sodium chloride) can help to produce
electricity.
Sodium is harvested from salt water while charging the battery,
and the harvested sodium is discharged with oxygen dissolved
in the salt water, functioning as oxidants to produce electricity.
The salt water provides both anode ( Na metal) and cathode
(O2) materials for the proposed battery.
When an electrical charge is passed through a salt (NaCl)
solution, the sodium separates from the chloride. Chloride is
negatively charged and is attracted to the positive side of the
electrical charge where it bonds with oxygen and hydrogen
from the water.
How will this research be different/new/innovative?
Saltwater batteries are more environmentally friendly
compared to normal batteries, it will also not be so expensive
as salt is a raw material.
Give definitions of the new concept that will be used:
It will be to build a salt water battery that can small toys and
low voltage light bulbs.
What are the benefits of doing this research:
People who can’t afford normal batteries or think they pollute
the environment way to much.
What problem/issue will be addressed?
The problem is that in South Africa is not enough electricity due
to load shedding and many other things, this may be used as an
alternative power source for small lights and toys and maybe
more in the future.
What is the aim of this research?
The aim of this project will be to build a salt water battery that
can power small toys and low voltage light bulbs.
What is the hypothesis?
If salt water is used as a source of electrical energy it will be
able to power toys and low voltage light bulbs
Independent Variable:
Is the amount of salt used.
Dependent Variable:
Is the measurement of volts.
Controlled Variable:
The amount of water used.
Method
Materials:
Salt, Water, Zinc plates Copper wire
Equipment:
Multimeter , Alligator clips, Plastic/Glass bottles or jars, Plastic
Spoons.
Procedure
Step 1
Making the 10% salt water.
Pour 200ml of water into your plastic bottle.
Add 20g of Table Salt into the water .
Stir with a plastic spoon till dissolved.
Making 20% salt water.
Pour 200ml of water into your plastic bottle.
Add 49g of table salt into the water
Stir with plastic spoon till dissolved.
Making 50% salt water
Pour 200ml of water into your plastic bottle
Add 100g of table salt into the water
Stir with plastic spoon till dissolved
Step 2
Label your containers
Step 3
Get your electrodes ready.
The copper Wire will be the (Cu) electrode and will be your cathode.
The Zinc Plates will be zinc (Zn) anode.
Step 4
Fill each of your labeled cups or jars with 200ml of your prepared
saltwater electrolyte.
Step 5
In each of your bottles, insert one zinc and one copper electrode. Place
them on opposite sides of the cup so they face each other. Be careful
not to knock over the cups. The electrodes should remain in the salt
water electrolyte throughout the entire experiment. You have to make
sure that they never touch each other to prevent an accidental short
circuit.
Step 6
Now you are ready to test if your batteries are working.
Test each of your batteries successfully.
Step 7
Take one red one and one black alligator clip cable and connect one
end of the black alligator cable to the zinc anode. Take the red alligator
clip cable and connect one end is the cable to the copper cathode.
Step 8
Measuring Voltage and Current Output
Measuring the open-circuit voltage of each of your saltwater
batteries. Start with the first one and then continue with the
other two trials. These values give you the highest voltage that
your battery can supply.
i. First plug the red multimeter probe into the multimeter port
labeled VOmA, and the black multimeter probe into the
multimeter port labelled COM.
ii. Now clip the end of the red alligator clip cable (still
connected to your copper electrode) onto the metal part of
the red multimeter probe.
iii. Finally , clip the end of three black alligator clip cable (still
connected to your zinc electrode) onto the metal part of the
black alligator clip cable (still connected to your zinc electrode)
onto the metal part of the black multimeter probe.
Set the multimeter disk to measure in the 20 V range ( the “20”
in the upper left of the dial). Record the open -circuit voltage in
your data table.
Data Analysis
I will analyse the data by seeing which salt solution produces
the most volts
Safety
Identify potential safety issues:
Potential safety issues can be dropping my the solutions on the
multimeter or getting cut by the screws.
Safety precautions
Keeping the multimeter and solutions separate and being
careful with the screws
Time Frames:
Research plan: 8 February
Doing experiments: 9-12 February
Writing project report: 13 February
References
https://.www.electronicshub.org/.salt-water-battery/.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org//.wiki/Salt_water_battery
https://bridex.fujielectric.com/.salt-water-battery.
