Science Experiments with Lemons Are More than Lemonade

Science Experiments with Lemons

With an little ingenuity you can turn an ordinary lemon into invisible ink, cleaning fluid and even a rocket launcher. Here are some great experiments that you can do with lemons. Amaze your friends or be the star at your next science fair.

About Lemons

The lemon probably came to us from India. During the Gold Rush of 1849 the first thorny branched lemon tree was first planted, it was to fight scurvy among the prospectors.

Lemon juice is a remedy for rust, ink and mildew stains. You can use the oil from the lemon peel to make a flavor extract, it is used in perfumes and cosmetics and even furniture polish. Lemon juice is the main source of citric acid that the printing industry uses to keep the fabric clear of rust stains from the machines. And lemons are the perfect fruit to learn about science. Here are hands on experiments that will help you learn so many things that happen all around us everyday.

Invinisible Ink

Use a lemon to write a message.

You need:

• the juice of a lemon
• a cotton swab (or a toothpick wrapped in absorbent cotton,or a dried-up pen)
• A lamp
• paper

What To Do:

Dissolve the lemon juice in water and dip the swab into it. Then use the swab to write a message on ordinary white paper. When it dries, the writing will be invisible. When you want to read the message, heat the paper by holding it near a light bulb.

What Happens:

The words on the page in black.

Why:

The juice of lemons and other fruits contain compounds of carbon. The compounds are nearly colorless when you dissolve them in water. But when you heat them the carbon compounds break down and produce carbon which are black.

What to Do to Make a Penny Shine:

Soak the coin in lemon juice (or vinegar) for five minutes.

What Happens:

A shiny bright as new penny is what you will find.

Why:

Oxygen in the air combined with the copper to form the dull copper oxide coating. The acid of the lemon acrs chemically to remove the oxide and so you have a bright shiny penny.

Bright as a Penny

Soap and water wont clean metal that easy and it usually takes a special cleanser. But here is a secret . .all you need is lemon or vinegar.

You Need:

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar
• a dull copper penny
• a small glass or paper cup

For an experiment that will teach kids in a fun way, follow these instructions to the tee, but remember you dont want the rocket to go off till you are out of the way! Remember that after the fun it is important to write down the findings of the science experiment.

What You Need for Lemon Rocket Experiment:

• Empty Bottle with cork to fit
• 1/4 cup lemon juice or vinegar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• a square of paper towel
• 2 paper towel strips, 1 inch x 10 inches
• water
• tacks or tape

What to Do:

Fit the cork into the soda bottle, make sure that the cork is snug and if not stuff a piece of the paper towel in to make sure it is secure and tight. Tape the two pieces of paper towel strips to the cork. Put the cork aside for it will be your rocket. Pour a mixture of water and lemon juice into the soda bottle until it is half filled. Wrap the baking soda n a little square of paper towel.

What Happens:

How the Rocket Takes Off -

The cork will eventually shoot up.

Why Does the Cork Pop:

As the water and lemon juice soak through the paper towel, the baking soda reacts to produce carbon dioxide. As more gas forms, pressure builds up inside the bottle and sends the cork flying!