Aluminum—Air Battery

In this Activity, students construct a homemade aluminum-air battery out of aluminum foil, activated charcoal, and saltwater. This battery generates enough power to operate a simple electrical device, such as a small motor or holiday light. This provides teachers a hands-on method that uses battery chemistry to teach oxidation and reduction reactions and is fun for students. In addition, the use of oxygen as a reactant presents an opportunity to discuss the science of fuel cells.