Build an Electrical Circuit
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
- D-cell battery
- A 1.2-volt lightbulb with matching base
- 2 pieces of insulated wire with 1″ stripped on each end
- Masking tape
- A printed copy of this activity
- A pencil to write your answers
Directions and Observations
1. Predict what will happen if you build a complete circuit from the battery to the lightbulb and back again as shown in the illustration above. Write down your prediction before you continue to step 2.
My prediction is
2. Use masking tape to connect one end of each wire to the lightbulb base.
3. 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
1. Predict what would happen if you added 10 or more lightbulbs to this circuit.
My prediction is
2. Watch as your teacher sets up a circuit with one battery and 11 lightbulbs.
Was your prediction under step 1 correct? Circle YES or NO.
If you circled NO, explain what was wrong with your prediction.
3. Suppose you wanted to build a circuit with 24 lightbulbs. What adjustments would you have to make to be sure that all the bulbs would light up?