Lab 04 - Electricity and Electric Circuits
Introduction
To begin this week’s experiment, you will need some copper wire, a lemon, a paperclip, and
possibly some knife or wire cutter. We will first test out some theories on what electricity is and
how it is generated!
Materials/Supplies
One lemon
One 2” copper wire
One paper clip
Purchased circuit materials.
Time Spent
Approximately 3 hours, does not need to be done at one sitting
Learning Objectives
● Relate physical properties of charges to each other and define conductors/insulators
● Define and apply Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff's laws to moving charges in electric circuits
Activity #1
To begin the experiment, please follow the procedure below.
● First cut off a 2-inch piece of copper wire, and remove the insulation, if any. This is best
done with a wire stripper, but you can use a kitchen knife if you are careful not to cut the
copper wire itself!
● Unfold the paper clip and make sure it is about the same length as the copper wire. If
not, clip it to the same size.
● Now roll the lemon around on the table applying gentle pressure. Do NOT break the
skin of the lemon. We simply want to squeeze the juice of the lemon out of its interior
cells, so that there is plenty of juice to power our electrical circuit (hint, hint!!).
● Now, stick the copper wire about 1 inch into the lemon. Or until it is slightly more than ½
way through the lemon.
● CAREFULLY touch the end of your tongue to the tip of the copper wire that is NOT
inside the lemon.
, 1. Do you notice anything, besides a sharp piece of wire resting against your tongue?
Answer:
I did not notice anything besides the piece of wire.
● Now, stick the paperclip into the lemon at about the same depth as the copper wire and
near to it, BUT NOT TOUCHING IT!
● The image below shows how the “battery” should look.
Figure #1
● Now, touch the tip of your tongue to the ends, both the copper wire and the paperclip
2. Do you notice anything now? Maybe a slight tingling on your tongue? Or a metallic
taste? Describe what you noticed below.
Answer:
With the new setup, I noticed a slight tingling sensation and a metallic taste on my tongue.
Introduction
To begin this week’s experiment, you will need some copper wire, a lemon, a paperclip, and
possibly some knife or wire cutter. We will first test out some theories on what electricity is and
how it is generated!
Materials/Supplies
One lemon
One 2” copper wire
One paper clip
Purchased circuit materials.
Time Spent
Approximately 3 hours, does not need to be done at one sitting
Learning Objectives
● Relate physical properties of charges to each other and define conductors/insulators
● Define and apply Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff's laws to moving charges in electric circuits
Activity #1
To begin the experiment, please follow the procedure below.
● First cut off a 2-inch piece of copper wire, and remove the insulation, if any. This is best
done with a wire stripper, but you can use a kitchen knife if you are careful not to cut the
copper wire itself!
● Unfold the paper clip and make sure it is about the same length as the copper wire. If
not, clip it to the same size.
● Now roll the lemon around on the table applying gentle pressure. Do NOT break the
skin of the lemon. We simply want to squeeze the juice of the lemon out of its interior
cells, so that there is plenty of juice to power our electrical circuit (hint, hint!!).
● Now, stick the copper wire about 1 inch into the lemon. Or until it is slightly more than ½
way through the lemon.
● CAREFULLY touch the end of your tongue to the tip of the copper wire that is NOT
inside the lemon.
, 1. Do you notice anything, besides a sharp piece of wire resting against your tongue?
Answer:
I did not notice anything besides the piece of wire.
● Now, stick the paperclip into the lemon at about the same depth as the copper wire and
near to it, BUT NOT TOUCHING IT!
● The image below shows how the “battery” should look.
Figure #1
● Now, touch the tip of your tongue to the ends, both the copper wire and the paperclip
2. Do you notice anything now? Maybe a slight tingling on your tongue? Or a metallic
taste? Describe what you noticed below.
Answer:
With the new setup, I noticed a slight tingling sensation and a metallic taste on my tongue.
