This clock ticks to the power of the spud.
When we think of ‘powering up’, most of us think of plugging a cord into the wall or putting batteries in a lifeless remote control or toy. Hey, the energy has to come from somewhere, right? Electricity runs from the outlet in our homes to the plug, down the cord and into whatever it is we’re trying to power up. Batteries create electricity inside those sleek cylinders, ready to bring your toy car back from the dead. But did you know that there is power in nature?
Sure, you say. Duh. Lightening is electricity.
But it’s not only cracks and rumbles from the sky that can light up our lives. Think of electric eels. Scientists of the 15th century were ‘shocked’ to find that the electricity in these and torpedo fish were the same as the electricity they could generate, and the same as lightening.
Here’s one spud-spendourus experiment that will really give you a charge: potatoes can be used as a power source(and we’re not just talking carbohydrate here!) With some wiring and a few pieces of equipment, you can plug your clock … into a potato! Check with your folks first: no need to get grounded for conducting the experiment!
