Exciting Energy Activities: Go with the flow

Go with the flow

Purpose:

The child will test several items as connections between a circuit to see if they are conductors or insulators.

Objectives:

As a result of this activity, the student will:

1. Discover items that are conductors of electricity.

2. Classify items as conductors or insulators.

3. Discuss the differences of conductors and insulators.

Materials:

flashlight with one fresh D cell

3 pieces of insulated wire, each approximately 15 cm(6") long with the ends stripped

roll of masking tape or duct tape

penny

comb

several pieces of fabric

metal fork or spoon

several different types of rock

various objects for testing

TEKS:

5.1A,B 5.2A,B,C,D 5.3A 5.7A 5.8A,C

Procedure:

1. Unscrew the top of the flashlight which has the bulb assembly in it. Take one wire and tape it to the metal tip of the light bulb. Tape the second wire to the metal ring that touches the side of the bulb.

2. Tape the other end of the wire connected to the tip of the light bulb to the (+) end of a D cell and touch the free end of the second wire to the (-) end of the cell. The light should go on because you have a complete circuit.

3. Tape one end of the third wire to the (-) end of the cell and touch its free end to the free end of the wire coming from the bulb holder. Again, the light should go on.

4. Try touching the two free ends of the wires to the penny at the same time. The bulb should light because the penny is made of copper, a good conductor.

5. Collect your objects to be tested and predict if they are insulators or conductors.

6. Test each of the items.

7. Make a list of all the items that were conductors and a list of all insulators.

Questions:

1. What types of materials make the best conductors?

2. Look inside the body of the flashlight. How does the switch control make the light go on and off?

3. Hypothesize what other types of materials would be good conductors of electricity?

4. How are conductors different from insulators?

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