Hand battery

A silver coloured metal sheet and bronze coloured metal sheet with hands placed on them to perform the experiment

Complete a circuit by placing your hands on two metal plate electrodes.

A solar cell has two electrodes. These have to be connected up to make a circle which we call an electrical circuit.

One side is connected using wires and the other side is connected up with something called an electrolyte.

When you put your hands on the metal plate electrodes, you become the electrolyte. The current can flow through your sweat and your body fluids so a reading is seen on the meter.

Thanks for using the RSC’s education resources. You can view one resource per month as a visitor, or two resources per month when you’re logged in with a personal account.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more: 

  • unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
  • teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
  • applications for funding to support your lessons

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not a science teacher or technician based in the UK or Ireland? Don’t worry – you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.