Pickle Light - Electrocute a Pickle


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 Code Number :   5D30.30

Disclaimer:

Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website.

The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources.

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Condition :   Excellent   
Principle :   Ionization of Electrolyte  
Area of Study :  Chemistry, Electricity  
Equipment :   Pickle electrocution apparatus, Spare 20 or 30 amp fuses, Pickles (Dills are Preferable).
  
Procedure :   Insert the two elevated copper wires into the ends of a pickle. THEN PLUG IN THE UNIT !!! Turn the On/Off switch to the On position. The 40 or 50 watt bulb will come on. This light acts not only as the indicator that the circuit is armed, but also as a current shunt and current spike protector. When ready HOLD DOWN the button on the hand switch. Depending on the size of the pickle, after about 10 seconds the pickle will start to emit steam and then will start to glow quite spectacularly. This is a good approximation of what happens to an electrocution victim as the electric current follows the electrolyte streams (Arteries and Veins) of the body. NOTE: ALWAYS UNPLUG THE UNIT BEFORE INSERTING OR REMOVING THE PICKLE.  
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   Web Sites

 

Pickle, glowing. 

http://bizarrelabs.com
© 1997-2002 Brian Carusella All rights reserved.

Lori's Chemistry Page:
http://www.geocities.com/capeCanaveral/
Launchpad/6603/glowing.html

 

 

   References

Mark F. Trax, "Pickles in the Lab: A learning Cycle Approach to Solution Chemistry," Grudy Center High School.

"Light Elements," Discover Magazine, May 1994.

"Characterization of Organic Illumination Systems," Digital Equipment Corporation, April 1, 1989.



Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille