Circuit Construction Kit circuit

Website: http://phet.colorado.edu/--> Go to "Play with Sims" --> Go to "Physics" --> Go to "Electricty" --> Click on Circuit Construction Kit (DC Only), Virtual Lab

Click "Run Now" to start the simulation

I. Simple Circuit - Create a simple circuit that has one battery and 3-8 wires. As you change parts of your circuit record the outcome using this simple KEY when compared to this single simple circuit.

BB = bulb brighter | BD = bulb dimmer | F = fire | X = did not work | N = no change

1. Add another light bulb __________
2. Add another battery _________
3. Add 5 batteries _____________
4. Make the voltage of a single battery smaller (right click on battery) _________
5. Add a resister _________
6. Place the lightbulb closer to the battery _______
7. Add more wire (try creating a very long circuit) _____
8. Place a bulb between two batteries ____
9. Increase the voltage of a single battery to the maximum ____
10. Attach only one wire to the bulb ____

Create your own scene...

What did you do? What Happened?
   
   
   


II. Grab Bag - Open the bag in the top right corner and test the materials in the bag to determine which are conductors. Rank them according to this scale

0 = not a conductor | 1 = slight conductor | 2 = good conductor | 3 = Great conductor

Dollar Bill _____ Paperclip ____ Penny ____ Eraser ____ Pencil Lead ____ Hand ____ Dog ____

Describe how you conducted your tests:

 

 

III. Switches - Switches can be used to turn on and off lights, but a switch simply functions by breaking a circuit. It can be quite challenging to create circuits that have lights on separate switches. Play with the simulation until you can get a single circuit that has multiple switches to operate multiple lights. Sketch your design (circuit) in the space below.