Music Generated by a Zn/Cu Electrochemical Cell, a Lemon Cell, and a Solar Cell: A Demonstration for General Chemistry

The circuit board found in a commercial musical greeting card is used to supply music for electrochemical cell demonstrations. Similar to a voltmeter, the “modified” musical device is connected to a chemical reaction that produces electricity. The commercial 1 V battery inside the greeting card circuit board can be replaced with an external power source such as a zinc and copper(II) electrochemical cell, a lemon battery or other zinc/proton cell variations, or a commercial solar cell. Directions are given to modify the musical circuit board, to make two types of homemade batteries, and to connect the “modified” musical device to an external power source to create a musical electrical circuit. Unlike a buzzer or flashing light, noticeable variations in music can warn the user of a gradual impending power failure. Students, including the visually impaired and blind, can relate the low volume and the slow tempo of a familiar song with weak or dying batteries and the lack of sufficient power.