How do We get lighting an LED bulb using the electrical energy from a tree?

 What you're describing sounds like a "tree battery" or a variation of a simple bioelectric experiment where people harness small amounts of electricity from trees or plants to power low-energy devices, such as an LED light bulb. This concept is similar to the classic "potato battery" experiment, where a chemical reaction between the electrodes (usually zinc and copper) and the electrolytes in the potato generates a small electric current. In the case of the tree, it works on a similar principle but uses the tree’s natural electrolytes and water content to generate a small voltage.

How Does It Work?

Trees and plants contain water and various ions (like potassium, calcium, and magnesium) that can act as electrolytes. By inserting two different metals into the tree, the moisture and electrolytes within the tree help create an electrochemical reaction that generates a small voltage between the two electrodes. The basic steps include:

• Two Electrodes: Just like in a potato battery, the two electrodes are usually made of different metals, often copper and zinc.
• Electrochemical Reaction: When the two electrodes are inserted into the tree, the difference in the reactivity of the metals causes electrons to flow from one metal to the other through the tree’s moisture, generating a small current.
• Low Voltage LED Light: The small amount of electricity generated is usually enough to power a low-energy LED light bulb, although the light will likely be very dim.

Why It Works

The principle behind this experiment lies in the basic chemistry of batteries:

• Electrolytes in Trees: The tree's sap and water content, which carry nutrients through its tissues, act as the electrolyte, much like the acidic or neutral pH of fruits and vegetables in similar experiments.
• Electron Flow: The difference in electrical potential between the two metals (copper and zinc) drives a flow of electrons, creating a current. When this current flows through a circuit (such as one containing an LED), it produces enough energy to emit light, even if it's just a faint glow.

Limitations

• Low Power Output: The power generated by such experiments is very minimal. While it's enough to light a low-power LED, it’s not enough to power anything more substantial.
• Tree Health: The impact on the tree itself is typically minimal in small-scale experiments, but inserting metal electrodes into the tree's trunk repeatedly or on a larger scale could potentially damage the tree over time.
• Efficiency: This setup is not an efficient or practical source of electricity. It's more of a fun, educational experiment to demonstrate basic principles of electricity.

Types of Trees Used

While the specific tree you saw in the video might not be mentioned, some trees with high moisture content are better suited for these types of experiments. Trees with high sap flow or that store a significant amount of water, like maple, birch, or oak, might work better because they contain more electrolytes to facilitate the electrochemical reaction.

Scientific Research and Innovations

Some researchers are exploring plant-based energy on a larger scale. The idea is to harness the small amounts of bioelectricity generated by trees and plants to power sensors or small environmental monitoring devices in forests. These sensors could gather data about the environment without needing traditional batteries or solar power.

For example:

• A project known as Plant-e in the Netherlands works on harvesting electricity from living plants and microbial fuel cells to produce a sustainable source of energy. While it's still in its early stages, it holds promise for low-power applications like sensors.

Conclusion

The experiment of lighting an LED bulb using the electrical energy from a tree is a creative and educational way to demonstrate the principles of electrochemical reactions and natural energy generation. While the amount of power produced is minimal, it highlights the fascinating potential of bioenergy and alternative sources of power, even if they are not yet practical for large-scale use.