Salt Water & Solar Powered Car - Prof Bunsen

2. Remove the magnesium electrode and wet the white fabric with four drops of salt solution
using the pipette.
3. Replace the magnesium electrode and then the white cover.
4. Carefully slide the fuel cell back into the car, checking that the two electrode strips
(magnesium and black electrode) slide in below the metal contacts of the car. Do not force
as this may damage the electrodes.
5. Switch the bottom switch to the left (as viewed from below) and run the car on a smooth
surface.
Please Note
• When the car loses power, simply add a few drops of salt water to the exposed fabric at the
back of the car.
• If only stopping the car for short periods of time, you can switch the bottom switch to the
right (solar mode)
BUT
• It is important to clean the fuel cell each time you stop using the car else the
electrochemical cell will keep on producing electricity and shorten the cell’s life.
- Gently rinse the black electrode under tap water. Do not scrub with fingers.
- Wash the magnesium electrode, white fabric and white plastic parts under tap water with
your fingers and dry separately.
Regenerating the electrochemical cell (Optional)
Over time you will find that the magnesium will get a black residue built-up on its surface. You
can scrape this off will a blunt knife or screwdriver (careful!) and then sand the magnesium so
that it is shiny again. Use very fine sand paper. Now refit everything and add the salt water.
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