Build an Electrical Circuit Experiment
In order for electricity to travel to where we need it, there must be a complete circuit of electricity. A complete circuit is like a circle. Electricity is produced at one place, travels around the circuit and returns to the starting place.
Electricity that is produced in power plant generators travels along a circuit. The circuit goes from the generator to homes and businesses and back to the generator. You can build an electrical circuit of your own, using a battery as the electricity source instead of a power plant generator. Ask an adult to help you with this experiment. Print the page before you start.
Materials
- A printed copy of this activity
- Masking tape
- A pencil to write your answers
- D-cell battery
- 2 pieces of insulated wire with 1 inch stripped on each end
- A 1.2-volt light bulb with matching base
Directions and Observations:
- Predict what will happen if you build a complete circuit from the battery to the light bulb and back again. Write down your prediction before you continue to step 2. My prediction is
- Use masking tape to connect one end of each wire to the light bulb base.
- Tape one free wire end to each end of the battery. Was your prediction under step 1 correct? Circle YES or NO. If you circled NO, explain what was wrong with your prediction.
Going Further:
- Predict what would happen if you added 10 or more light bulbs to this circuit. My prediction is
- Watch as your teacher sets up a circuit with one battery and 11 light bulbs. Was your prediction under step 1 correct? Circle YES or NO. If you circled NO, explain what was wrong with your prediction.
- Suppose you wanted to build a circuit with 24 light bulbs. What adjustments would you have to make to be sure that all the bulbs would light up?
