Saltwater Circuit

Each group needs:

• 2 large, wooden Popsicle sticks (available at craft stores)
• 4 pieces insulated copper wire, each 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long
• 3 plastic cups, 16 ounce (473 ml) size
• 2 plastic spoons
• 9-volt battery
• battery cap, usually with red and black wire leads (available at hardware stores)
• 3.7 volt light bulb (available at hardware stores)
• 1 miniature light bulb socket (available at hardware stores; use with the 3.7 volt light bulb)
• eye protection (goggles or safety glasses)
• (optional) multimeter and multimeter leads with alligator clips (available at hardware stores)
• Reflection Worksheet (PDF), one per person
• Saltwater Cards (PDF), one card per group
• Saltwater Circuit Worksheet (without Multimeter) (PDF)or Saltwater Circuit Worksheet (with Multimeter) (PDF), one per group

For the entire class to share:

• electrical tape
• salt, one 26 oz (737 g) container is enough for all groups, plus some extra
• screwdrivers, to tighten wires in light bulb sockets
• roll of aluminum foil
• water
• triple beam or digital scale, to measure grams of salt
• measuring cups or graduated cylinders, to measure ml of water
• projector, to show the attached Saltwater Circuit Presentation (PPTX)PowerPoint