Electricity: Using it to Make a Circuit

Mrs. Muozs Class April 2014

Table of Contents Abstract ____________________________________________________ 3 Question ____________________________________________________ 3 Hypothesis __________________________________________________ 3 Background Research _________________________________________ 4 Materials ___________________________________________________ 5 Procedure ___________________________________________________ 5 Observations ________________________________________________ 6 Results _____________________________________________________ 6 Inquire Further _______________________________________________ 7 Acknowledgements ___________________________________________ 7 Bibliography ________________________________________________ 8

Abstract The purpose of this project is to learn how to make an electric circuit. We will make the electric circuit with a battery, light bulb, and aluminum foil. We predict that the aluminum foil must touch the base of the light bulb AND the battery in order to work. First, we folded the aluminum foil the long way. Then we folded it again four more times and cut the strip in half. We taped one end of one strip to one end the battery. We taped one end of the other strip to the other end of the battery. Then we wrapped the loose end of one foil strip around the base of the flashlight bulb and held the strip in place with the clothespin. Finally, we touched the base of the bulb to the end of the other foil strip and our bulb lit up! We learned that the electricity must travel in a circular path for the light bulb to light.

Question How does an electric circuit work?

Hypothesis An electric circuit will only work when the electricity travels in a closed, circular path from the energy source to the object and back again.

Background Research Many atoms make up matter. The center of the atom is a nucleus. The nucleus contains tiny particles called protons and neutrons. Electrons orbit around the nucleus. Atoms are the key to everything.1 Electricity needs a conductor which allows electricity to flow. Some examples of conductors are tin foil, wire, and aluminum. An insulator doesnt allow electricity to flow. Some examples of insulators are plastic, rubber, and glass.2 An electric circuit is a circular path of electricity. Sometimes a circuit uses a battery. A battery has chemicals that are used to create a chemical reaction. A circuit also contains wires that allow electricity to flow. Electricity needs a circuit to travel from place to place.3 Electricity is dangerous and it can shock or kill you because the electricity is charged with protons. Electrons have a negative charge and orbit the nucleus of an atom. Some electrons called free electrons are not orbiting around the nucleus of atoms and try to jump to other atoms. That is how we have shocks. Dont play with electricity. 4

1 2

Kaylee, Ryan, Brian Amelie, Kytana 3 Kiara, Michael 4 Riley, Victoria, Jacob

Materials flashlight bulb masking tape scissors foil strip D-battery clothespin piece of aluminum foil

Procedure 1. Make a chart like the chart one shown. Use the chart to record your observations. Observations of bulb

Base of bulb touching foil

One foil strip removed from battery.

2. Fold the aluminum foil the long way. Then fold it again four more times. Cut the strip in half. 3. Tape one end of one strip to one end the battery. Tape one end of the other strip to the other end of the battery. 4. Wrap the loose end of one foil strip around the base of the flashlight bulb. Hold the strip in place with the clothespin. 5. Touch the base of the bulb to the end of the other foil strip. Be sure no parts of the two strips touch each other. Look at the bulb. Record your observations. 6. Remove the foil strip attached to the light bulb from the battery. Touch the base of the end of the other foil strip. Look at the bulb. Record your observations.
5

Observations

Results Did the bulb light up when both strips were attached to the battery? Yes the light bulb did light when they were both attached to the battery. Did the bulb light up when one of the strips were removed from the battery? No it didnt light up when we tried that.
6

What can you infer from your observations about an electric circuit? If one of the strips of the tinfoil doesn`t touch, the power of the bulb will not let it light. If the bulb does not light, it does not have a full circuit.

Inquire Further How could you find out all the ways to use a circuit in one day? In our experiment we used a battery, so we know that anything battery operated uses a circuit. We could use the internet to research this question more. We could also use books and magazines. There are many ways to find out all the ways to use a circuit in one day.

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Mrs. Munoz and Mrs. Schuyler for helping us organize our writing and put the project together. We would also like to thank our parents for sending in batteries.

Bibliography 1. Electricity. Dir. Bill Nye. Public Broadcasting Service, 1994. DVD. 2. "Electricity." EIA Energy Kids -. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. 3. "The Energy Story - Chapter 1: Energy - What Is It?" The Energy Story - Chapter 1: Energy - What Is It? N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. 4. "The Energy Story - Chapter 4: Circuits." The Energy Story - Chapter 4: Circuits. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. 5. "The Energy Story - Chapter 5: Stored Energy and Batteries." The Energy Story Chapter 5: Stored Energy and Batteries. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. 6. The Magic School Bus Gets Charged. Dir. Suzanne Bolch, George Arthur Bloom, Jocelyn Stevenson. Public Broadcasting Service, 1997. DVD. 7. Walker, Sally M., and Andy King. Electricity. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications, 2006. Print. 8. "What Is Energy?" EIA Energy Kids -. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2014.