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Science Experiment – Circuit

About this experiment

An electric circuit is created when there is a closed loop made of conductors and other electrical elements through which an electric current can easily flow. You can make a simple circuit using objects commonly found at home.

Materials

• One D battery
• Aluminium foil
• Electrical tape
• A light bulb from a torch

Steps

1. Cut the foil into two long pieces about 30cm x 5cm
2. Fold the pieces of foil lengthways multiple times so that they form thin strips about 1cm wide. It’s ok to pinch the foil – the strips don’t need to be identical or perfectly flat
3. Secure the foil strip to the metal ring around the light bulb using a small piece of electrical tape. At the base of the light bulb is a metal tip where the bulb makes contact in the torch – do not let this piece of foil touch the metal tip.
4. Tape the other end of the same foil strip to the negative end of the battery, ensuring that the foil covers the centre of the battery end.
5. Tape the second foil strip to the positive end of the battery, ensuring that the foil covers the centre of the battery end.
6. Touch the free end of the second foil strip to the metal tip of the bulb, making sure not to touch the other piece of foil.
   Watch as the bulb lights up! Which element do you think is acting as the conductor in this experiment?

Do you want to keep learning? Find more experiments here!