SCIENCE ADVENTURES E SPARKS SHOCKS SECRETS AND Explore electricity and use science to survive Richard and Louise Spilsbury Smart Apple Media
SPARKS K An electronics kit shouts Amelie happily That s exactly what I wanted We know It s a you ve talked about for weeks groans Zae Before you play with it and forget we're even here can we please have some birthday cake asks Jess Um my mom s stepped out but I think it's down in the kitchen answers Amelie Suddenly there is a huge spark and all the lights go out Aaarrggh screams Zac What happened Maybe a robber cut a wire and broke the electricity circuit in the house He needs darkness so he can creep in unnoticed teases Ben Stop it Ben That's not possible says Jess Yes it is says Amelie Ben give me your flashlight and I'll show you WHAT DO YOU THINK O Is Amelie right Could the lights have all gone out because a circuit was
PROVE IT Investigate circuits yourself You need o electrical wire elastic band electrical tape a 15v battery small bulb from a flashlight Stick the other ends of l the wires to the bulb Does the bulb light up Ask an adult to help you cut two lengths of wire each about 8 inches 20 cm long and then carefully cut about 14 inches 3 cm of the plastic coating off the ends of those wires Use the tape to attach one end of each wire to opposite ends of the battery Remove one of the wires from the bulb or the battery so the circuit is broken What happens now WHY IT WORKS Amelie is right Electricity flows from a power source the battery around a circuit It passes through the wire and other parts such as bulbs and returns to the power source If there is a gap in the circuit no electricity will flow The wires in a house run in circuits that include all the lightbulbs in every
