Tyler Durden (
tyler_gone) wrote in
fandomhigh2009-11-09 08:45 am
Entry tags:
Applied Science | Monday | 11.09
The lab tables had potatoes, wires, nails, and cheap digital clocks on them this morning. One of these things was not like the others.
"We're making potato batteries today," Tyler said, explaining the odd assortment. "What you're doing is using the potato to transfer electrochemical energy. Now, a battery is a device that converts chemical energy directly to electrical energy.[21] It consists of a number of voltaic cells; each voltaic cell consists of two half cells connected in series by a conductive electrolyte containing anions and cations ...." He went on for a while, thoroughly explaining the science.
"The potato's not important. The potato's just acting as a buffer between the zinc in the nails and the copper in the wire. You can do pretty much the same thing with lemons, pickles, apples ... you get the idea."
"Pair up and use this handout to make potato batteries. Extra credit if you find a better way to do it."
"We're making potato batteries today," Tyler said, explaining the odd assortment. "What you're doing is using the potato to transfer electrochemical energy. Now, a battery is a device that converts chemical energy directly to electrical energy.[21] It consists of a number of voltaic cells; each voltaic cell consists of two half cells connected in series by a conductive electrolyte containing anions and cations ...." He went on for a while, thoroughly explaining the science.
"The potato's not important. The potato's just acting as a buffer between the zinc in the nails and the copper in the wire. You can do pretty much the same thing with lemons, pickles, apples ... you get the idea."
"Pair up and use this handout to make potato batteries. Extra credit if you find a better way to do it."

Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
He was occasionally thumping his forehead against a desk. It was keeping him awake.
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
//Nope. I've got nothin' against potatoes,// he replied, raising an eyebrow slightly. //And religion hasn't exactly done me any favours, lately.//
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
Soccer, Jono.
//I have a hard enough time sleepin' with my flatmate in th'room. Tossing Jean-Th'-Bird into the mix is going to take some gettin' used to.//
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
... which was more about his personal life than he normally acknowledged in class, but a year and change in, Tyler was starting to get over it. It wasn't like it wasn't on radio twice a week anyhow.
"Birds don't sleep?"
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
//It isn't that. Birds sleep just fine,// he sighed. //I'm just one of those people who... doesn't deal terribly well with other people, I suppose.//
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
"So the houseguest is throwing you off," Tyler surmised. "Got it. Jean doesn't have a regular roomie or a boyfriend or something that you can dump the bird with?"
He was so very caring.
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
//I've got no clue,// he replied. //I just figured that since I was the one who damn near killed her with a ball yesterday when she changed, it was somewhat my responsibility.//
Somewhat. Kinda. As you do.
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
It was awkward enough checking his bandages every morning to be certain they were holding with just Jak around, dammit.
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
In all fairness, Tyler probably wasn't entirely aware of Jono's reasons for wrapping himself up and freaking out over food and such. But he was tired and working very hard on not being too cranky, and so A Look it was going to be.
//Whatever blokes are makin' use of th'bathroom first thing in th'morning probably don't need the light show any more'n Jean does.//
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
"... don't hurt yourself with the headbanging," he decided.
Re: Talk to the TAs [11/09]
... And then he got on with it. It was only an occasional forehead-thump, anyhow.