Cool Science Projects That Involve Electricity
- Heap a small mound of modeling clay on a table and insert the longer part of a bendy straw into it. Bend the straw 90 degrees so it looks like a street lamp. Hang an 8- by 2-inch strip of paper over the top of the straw so the middle of the paper is supported by the straw with each end flopping downward. Cut a 4-inch square from a plastic folder and rub it vigorously against a sheet of typing paper before touching it to one half of the paper hanging over the straw. Repeat the process for the other half of the paper. Now, rub the plastic once again and hold it underneath the bent straw, in between the two sheets of paper. While the two halves of the paper were attracted to the plastic square originally, they are now repelled by it. This occurs because, by rubbing the plastic, you made it negatively charged which, once touched to the paper, transfers a negative charge to the paper.
- An idea for a cool introductory science project involves constructing your own electrical circuit. Split a 20-inch length of copper wire into thirds and strip 1/2-inch of insulation from each end of the wires. Attach one end of a wire to the positive terminal of a 9-volt battery and the other end to the right side of a light bulb base with electrical tape. Attach a second wire to the battery's negative terminal and the other end to the left side of a switch with electrical tape. Complete the circuit by attaching the right side of the switch and the left side of the light bulb's base with the remaining piece of wire. Observe as the light bulb ignites; check all your connections if the bulb does not light.
- To complete this cool experiment, you will need 1.5-volt AA, AAA, C and D batteries, a 1.5-volt hobby motor and a stopwatch. Test each battery by attaching the hobby motor's red wire to the positive terminal of each battery and the motor's black wire to the negative battery terminal. Start the stopwatch and measure the length of time the motor rotates. You should also note your observations about the speed at which the motor rotates. Conclude the experiment once you have tested each battery type, repeating the experiment by testing two or more of the same type of battery and averaging the results.
- Throughout any scientific experiment, health and safety should be your first and greatest concern. According to the Princeton University electrical safety guide, there are seven "safe work practices" designed to heighten safety when handling electricity, including wearing non-conductive gloves and shoes with insulated soles and handling circuits with only one hand where possible to reduce the chance of electrical current passing through your chest. Always supervise children if they are completing experiments, advising and assisting them with any potentially dangerous elements of their research.
