Science in a Box

Simple Circuits:
VA Science SOL 4.3 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of
electricity. Key concepts include
a) conductors and insulators;
b) basic circuits;
d) the ability of electrical energy to be transformed into light and
motion, and to produce heat
Materials:
2 D-cell batteries
4 strips of aluminum foil (5-6 inches long, 1 centimeter wide)
4 pieces of insulated copper wire (5-6 inches long)
1 flashlight bulb
1 roll of masking tape
Metal conductors
o 4 metal paper clips
o 2 metal spoons
o 2 nails
o 2 coins (quarters)
Non metal insulators
o 2 strips of cardboard (5-6 inches long, 1 centimeter wide)
o 2 strips of paper (5-6 inches long, 1 centimeter wide)
o 2 strands of string (5-6 inches long, 1 centimeter wide)
o 2 wooden pencils
o Rubber bands
http://www.kansas4-h.org/doc7886.ashx
Safety Tips: The wires and nails can be sharp.

Direct the student to look at the battery and compare its two ends.
Ask him/her to notice that one is labeled with a negative symbol (-) and the other
end with a positive symbol (+).
Which end is dented in slightly? (the negative end)
Which end sticks out? (the positive end)
Ask the student which end has the most electrons. (negative terminal)
Challenge the student to find as many different ways as possible to build a
complete circuit. If the student is having trouble, ask him/her to explain or draw a
circular path for electrons to follow that includes the bulb and the battery. Help
him/her figure out what needs to be connected to make the bulb light.
Hint: Use tape to hold connections together
Why It Happens

o The battery pushes electrons from the negative terminal (where there are
many electrons), through the switch, the light bulb, and the wire into the
positive terminal (where there are not many electrons). As electrons pass
through the wire and into the light bulb, a special kind of wire inside the
bulb, called a filament, lights the bulb.
o In order for the light bulb to light, the bulb must be part of a closed circuit
or path between the two battery terminals. Since electrons will not flow
through the bulbs glass or plastic (glass and plastic are insulators), the
metal parts of the bulb must be connected to the circuit so they can
conduct electricity.
o The light bulb lights because it contains a tiny wire, called a filament. This
filament has a very high resistance or opposition to the flow of electricity
through it. The resistance in the filament causes heat to build until the
filament gets so hot that it glows.
The best conductors are usually metals because their electrons move easily.
Non-metals tend to hold on to their electrons more tightly, which makes them
poor conductors. Those atoms which hold their atoms most tightly make the best
insulators.

http://www.srpnet.com/education/pdfx/electriccircuits.pdf
1. Ask student groups to use the materials in their bags to make the light bulb light.
Facilitate as the students try various combinations and ways to try to connect the wires,
battery, and light bulb together. Some students may get it right away, while others may
take more leading.
2. Once students accomplish the task, praise them saying they have made a circuit. Have
them draw a picture and label it simple circuit in their lab journals.
3. Explain to students that a circuit is a source for electricity (battery) and a load (light
bulb) which are connected in a continuous circle of wires or other conductors which
electricity can flow through.
4. Electrons move from the negative end of the battery, through the light bulb, and to the
positive end of the battery.
5. Finally explain to students that when electricity if flowing, the circuit is complete (or
closed), which means electrons can flow through. When there is a break somewhere in
the circuit (a light is burned out, a wire is not properly connected), the circuit is called
open and electricity cannot flow through.