Increasing Voltage of Potato Battery in Chemistry Class

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on improving the voltage output of a potato battery project in a chemistry class, with the current maximum achieved being 15 volts. The user is exploring methods to increase this voltage, considering soaking potatoes in a salt-saturated solution to enhance conductivity. They have already connected multiple potato batteries in series, using magnesium and copper electrodes, but found that after reaching 15 volts, the voltage dropped significantly to 3 volts. Suggestions for achieving higher voltage are sought, emphasizing the need for practical materials available at local stores.
stokes173
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hey guys what's up?

just recently I've been working on this potato battery thingy in chemistry class and the highest i can get it is 15 volts. i knwo there are a lot of variables involved but are there any suggestions that you might think would help achieve a higher voltage? i was thinkin of soaking the potatoes in a salt saturated thing of water...(more sodium). any ideas would be greatly appreiciated.

ps- nothing to insane.. we are using magnesium and copper as the 2 metal things.. ie no lithium... and preferably materials that could be bought at the local stores.

thanks!
 
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How about connecting several potato batteries in series ?
 
er

well.. yeah I've done that already (sorry for not mentioning). we had about a 10 pnd bag, cut em up into 4ths and connected em all. the highest we got was 15... then after that it wouldn't go past 3...
 

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