This project is based on Grant Thompson's Penny Battery.
This voltaic pile needed the following:
After following the instructions on the video, I managed to complete a 3-penny battery...
...with a reading of 0.016 x 10^2 V, or 1.6 V -- which was 1.4 volts less than Grant Thompson's battery. Perhaps the internal resistance in my battery was greater than Thompson's. Or perhaps he had better pennies.
To light up my 3.7 V Blue LED, I needed to add more pennies and washers.
Because 3.7 V is about (1.5 V * 2.3), I need about (2.3 * 3 ~ 7) pennies. So, I added 4 pennies and 4 zinc washers.
At about 0.038 x 10^2 V, or 3.8 V, I was assured my LED would be okay.
The ground of the diode is connected to the zinc (-) washer via the aluminum and the positive terminal is connected to the copper (+) penny.
Electrons from the copper (cathode) travel through the vinegar electrolyte and into the zinc (anode). Zinc has a higher electronegativity than copper.
To keep the battery intact and safe from my excitement, it was wrapped in electrical tape.
The LED was out the next morning. The electrons can't travel without a present electrolyte.