SIMPLE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT PROJECT

SC.O.4.2.19:construct simple electrical circuits

MATERIALS NEEDED

Wooden base to mount the circuit

2 Light Bulbs 1 lamp holder 1 Battery holders 1 Simple Switch (Known

as knife switch) Screws used to mount

the switch and the lamp holder

Insulated solid copper wire (Gage 22

STEPS TO CONSTRUCTION

Step One –Use screws to mount switch, battery holder and lamp to wooden base.

STEPS TO CONSTRUCTION

Step Two –Using the wire make the circuit connections as shown . Please be careful loosing screws and stripping the end of the wires!

STEPS TO CONSTRUCTION

Step Three–

Place a D battery in holder, lower the switch and watch your light shine

CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS

Identify conductors and insulators around you. It is important to know what materials are conductive and what materials are not. The test is simple. Open the switch and place the object between the poles of the switch. If the light comes on, then the object is conductive. You may try this with metals (coins, paper clips, nails, etc.) and non-metals (glass, plastic, stone, wood, etc.)

DEFINITIONS

CONDUCTOR INSULATORS

In a conductor (usually metal) many of the electrons are free to move around within the conductor therefore allowing electricity to pass.

In an insulator (such as plastic, rubber, glass, etc) the electrons are not free to move around the entire object therefore not allowing electricity to pass

MAKE IT SIMPLE!

CONDUCTORS INSULATORS

A conductor is something that lets heat and electricity go through it.

Think of a hot summer day.  You sit on a shiny metal slide, OUCH! It's very hot and burns your legs! The slide is made of metal, it is a good conductor

An insulator is something that does not let heat and electricity go through it easily. 

If you slide down a plastic slide, like on our playground, it is very warm, but it will not burn you like a metal slide.  Plastic is a good insulator

SIMPLE TEST

MATERIALS DIRECTIONS

Simple electric circuit Comb Fabric Metal Spoon Penny Rock Electrical Tape Copper wire

Turn off switch Remove wire from

switch going to lamp. Replace with additional

wire Attach object to the two

wires between lamp and switch

Turn on Switch – be sure not to touch object

RESULTS

Fill out chart:

Object Light on Light off Conductor or Insulator

comb

fabric

metal spoon

penny

rock

RESULTS

Fill out chart:

Object Light on Light off Conductor or Insulator

comb insulator

fabric insulator

metal spoon

conductor

penny conductor

rock insulator

ONE MORE TIME!

Click on the hyperlink and test your knowledge of conductors and insulators:

Conductors and Insulators

FINAL THOUGHTS

How does a flashlight work?

Check out what the Energizer Bunny thinks!