Fluid as a medium to transfer electricity

[GDBot]

http://www.physlink.com/estore/cart/Hydro-Clock.cfm

I think it just uses the fluid as a medium to transfer electricity from an internal battery, my friends aren't so sure. Any thoughts on this out there?

 

[mrjeffy321]

I am thinking it is something like a ‘lemon’ clock, except instead of a lemon one just provides some other electrolyte. There could be the makings of a battery exposed to the electrolyte tank which, when liquid is added, generates the current to run the clock.

 

[edward]

The two potato clock.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004W1DB/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[Gokul43201]

http://www.physlink.com/estore/cart/Hydro-Clock.cfm

I think it just uses the fluid as a medium to transfer electricity from an internal battery, my friends aren't so sure. Any thoughts on this out there?

You are right. More accurately, the fluid serves as an electrolyte which transfers charge between two electrodes that make up the battery for the clock. The principle is the same as that of any regular galvanic cell.

 

[Math Jeans]

They have these on thinkgeek as well.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/757e/

 

[Gokul43201]

They have these on thinkgeek as well.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/757e/

Only their explanation is wrong!

The internal converter simply extracts electrons from water (or other liquid) molecules and provides a steady stream of electrical current acting as a fuel cell to generate power to the clock.

Electrons are "extracted" from the anode, not from water.

 

[LowlyPion]

Put it right next to the bubbling sea chest in the aquarium.