Science Photo Libra/Getty Images
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Electrical circuit with lemons. A chemical reaction between the copper and zinc plates and the citric acid produces a small current, that is able to power a light bulb. Science Photo Libra/Getty Images
We re going Back To School today, revisiting a classic at-home experiment that turns lemons into batteries powerful enough to turn on a clock or a small lightbulb. But how does the science driving the lemon battery show up in those household batteries we use daily?
Short Wave host Maddie Sofia and reporter Emily Kwong speak with environmental engineer Jenelle Fortunato about the fundamentals of electric currents and the inner workings of batteries.