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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.
Experiment with Lemons
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.
Lemon Writing An Experiment
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.
Lemon Experiment
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
Lemon Rocket
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!
More Science Experiements
Science Comments
- Author
~anginwu - oh yes you have no idea how those lemon groves (and orange) are waiting. My uncle has a friend who brings over the avocados but he just has the citrus . .. I cant wait to bring you over to them . . check your email later and I will dig up a pictures of the backyard. . this is no day dreaming!!!! I promise :) SO far definite trip set up for the Jewish holidays. . in Sept but chances are I will sneak a trip in before .. . i didnt realize how much i was going to miss my folks! And my daughter who will be back from Italy is pushing for early July!!
Haha, Shari, right--the lemon groves are just waiting for you. Then there are plenty of avocado groves too--they're good for the skin and heart. Imagine the fun we'll have. Anyway, day-dreaming aside, when are u coming?
- Author
dohn - ha where do I get my ideas from! I think they just keep coming from the kid in me that I will never let go of! I am looking forward to hearing how the lemon rockets go with the boys. I had a good time with straws today and my 2 little friends.. check it out if you really want to have a good time ;)
~ anglnwu - oh how I need my Jia Yu today .. 4 Hubs and 10 more to go! And honestly as I wrote these lemon hubs all I could think about was the lemon groves waiting for me in San Diego .. and I am not kidding on that one. .. not only do you and I have a book in the making. we just might have a product line to think about. . and we will have our own lemons from what to make it all from . . !!!
~ samboiam - promise me if you do the rocket you will take pictures and share them with me ;)))))
~ entertainment - as always love seeing you here. . its nice to have you in my cheering section . .and I really mean that.
~ Ultimate - isnt it amazing that things we take for granted have so many uses if we just look closely!! Thanks for the visit. . nice to see you here!
~ billyaustindillon - and i thought lemons were just sour! Glad to see you here. .thanks for that:)))))
- Author
~ Natasha ~ ,and just think I am just getting started with the lemons for you know that it goes right into my anti aging hubs. . vitamin C .. it is like magic defending us from all those free radicals!!! Glad you liked it!
~ O ~ Lets see the ideas come from the fact I re did grade school all over when Jamie was growing up .. lol the only thing I didnt go for was hamsters and gerbils. . hahah but I guess what I really like about revisiting this sort of topic is how well it does fit in with the understanding of all the anti aging products I have been reviewing. . it all adds up and explains another part of the puzzle! So glad to see you . .you truly have been missed!
~ anglnwu - Lemons I think are going to need a whole chapter. . natural antioxidant and defends all those free radicals.. oh wait that is in the next hub to come!! And I cant wait for my visit to SD soon .. my uncle has a whole grove with lemons and oranges . we sure wont be needing to buy them we can just go pick them!!! Jia Yu .. i need a double shot tomorrow!
sam .. thanks for stopping by . and if you do do it . take pics and we can add some here!!! I would love to see them.
~ entertaiment = always a pleasure t share with you! Gld you liked it:)
~ Ultimate. . you may be the Ultimate Hubber but I think we should nominate the lemon . .and if not the lemon we can always give a standing o to vinegar!
~ billy -Ahhh stick around here Billy an you just might see uses for things you may never have thought if, , and if not there is always football!!!
And I just thought lemon was great to squeeze on your fish....
An amazing hub on a really interesting topic. Never thought that all this stuff can be done with lemon.
Wow awesome hub a lot of fun tips here.Thanks for sharing.
I am going to try the lemon rocket. My boys would probably think thats cool. Another great job.
Wow, never knew there are so many uses for lemons, apart from lemonade. No wonder they tell you to make lemonade when life hands you lemons--lemons make sunshine and happy moments(doing these experiments will bring a smile for sure). You're on the roll--this hubbing thing. Rated it up and Jia Yu.
Ha! Where do you get your ideas, Shari? This is awesome. I think I'm going to try the lemon rocket with one of my nephews.
I hope you're well ;)
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Dohn
Now that's unique. I never knew we could do so much with lemons. Will definitely try every experiment you mention. I am amazed how come you come with such ideas for hubs. This is really an interesting read. I have bookmarked and rated this hub up. I am really falling in love with your hubs.
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