======Glowing Pickle======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
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**Alternative titles:** Electric Pickle
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====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}



====Procedure====  
  - Place a pickle on an insulating surface such as a glass jar.  
  - Insert two metal nails or forks into opposite ends of the pickle, ensuring they do not touch.  
  - Attach the exposed ends of a lamp cord to the electrodes (using wire wrapping or alligator clips).  
  - Plug the lamp cord into a variac or into a power strip (in the “off” position), which is connected to an electrical outlet.  
  - Turn on the power strip or variac.  
  - Observe as the pickle drips, smokes, and glows—usually yellow from sodium emission.  
  - Turn off and unplug the setup before handling the pickle.



====Links==== 
Electric Pickle - Cool Science Experiment - Sick Science!: 
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The Glowing Pickle - Manitoba Museum: 
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📄 Glowing Pickle or Electric Pickle Experiment - Science Notes: [[https://sciencenotes.org/glowing-pickle-or-electric-pickle-experiment/]]\\

====Variations====
None



====Safety Precautions====
  * This is an “adults only” experiment—never allow children to handle the electrical setup.
  * Only teachers trained in the handling of mains power should perform the experiment.  
  * Use a power strip with a switch for safe shut-off.  
  * Do not touch the pickle or electrodes while power is on.  
  * Perform in a well-ventilated area due to possible smoke and gas release.  
  * Never eat the pickle after electrifying it.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does the pickle glow yellow? (Excited sodium ions emit photons at a characteristic yellow wavelength.)  
  * What role do the electrodes play? (They conduct electricity into the pickle, enabling electrolysis and ion excitation.)  
  * Why can electricity pass through the pickle? (Saltwater brine conducts electricity due to dissolved ions.)  
  * How is this similar to a flame test in chemistry? (Both reveal element-specific emission spectra.)  
  * What modern technology is this experiment related to? (Organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs, used in displays.)