SaedNews: In the era of YouTube, Instagram, and high-speed internet, many online videos try to capture people's attention by combining creativity and unusual claims. One of the most viewed videos, which has been shared multiple times on social media, claims to charge a phone with a potato.
SaadNews: Can a Potato Really Charge Your Phone?
According to the Science and Technology Service of SaadNews, quoting KhabarOnline, these days, with the price of potatoes skyrocketing, it might be wise to do some calculations before considering the possibility of generating electricity with potatoes! Imagine needing hundreds of potatoes just to charge a phone battery. If we calculate the cost of this many potatoes, we will likely conclude that buying a power bank is a cheaper and more logical option.In recent years, videos have circulated in which individuals claim their phones are charging by simply connecting a few potatoes with wires. But what is the scientific truth behind charging a phone with a potato? To better understand this topic, we first need to explore how electricity is generated and whether a potato has enough energy to accomplish this.
Simply put, electricity is the flow of electrons in a circuit, powered by sources like batteries or generators. But how does a potato function as a natural battery?
To charge a typical smartphone, we need 5 volts and a current of at least 1 amp, meaning a power supply of about 5 watts. But does a potato generate enough energy for this?
The reality is that a potato itself does not produce electricity. In experiments, the chemical reactions between two metals (usually copper and zinc) in the presence of an electrolyte generate a very small electrical current.
The zinc metal releases electrons.
The copper metal attracts electrons, creating a weak current.
The potato acts as a conductor and electrolyte.
However, the voltage produced by each potato is only about 0.7 volts, which is far from the amount needed to charge a phone. The generated current is also in the milliampere range, which is only enough to light a small LED.
If we wanted to generate enough energy to charge a phone, we would need to connect hundreds of potatoes in series and parallel circuits. From an energy and cost perspective, this method is completely impractical.
Some people claim that their phones actually charge in these videos, but in most cases, the videos are either edited or include a hidden power source. At best, a potato can serve as a fun scientific experiment to demonstrate electrochemical reactions, but it is not a viable way to charge a phone.
Videos about charging phones without electricity and similar claims spread quickly on social media due to their simplicity and visual appeal. However, most people believe and share them without verifying the science behind them.
Claims like charging a phone with a potato may seem interesting and creative at first, but scientific analysis shows that these claims are more of an entertainment gimmick than reality. A comparison of potato-generated electricity with actual energy sources reveals that this method is practically useless.
So before believing and liking such videos, it is better to approach them with a critical and scientific mindset. The beauty of science lies in accuracy and realism, not myths and rumors.
