Chemistry / physics experiment 52 - Glowing pickle

A pickle is positioned on two iron nails. When a high AC voltage (around 120V) is placed across the pickle, an electric current will pass between the nails. The current will excite sodium ions present in the pickle. The result: a glowing pickle!
Safety:
- Potentially lethal shock hazard!

[@bertelberry]

Can someone explain to me, why if it is an alternating current, the pickle only lights up on one side?

[@coondogtheman]

Put the nails into the ends and push them in far enough so the tips of them are about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch apart and it should work better. Also you say your power is 120 volts but it sounds like it's 50Hz so you might have 240 volts.

[@sebastianmarks1069]

Was the pickle eaten afterwards? I wonder what it would taste like

[@eunaekim9216]

Does it matter whether the pickle is dill or sweet?

[@d237447q]

Sent here by New Scientist 25/01/22