How many physicists does it take to light a light bulb?

(Investigations in magnetism and electric current, part I)

Physics of the Mundane

Adam Johnston

We have seen how static electric charge can be manipulated, stored and studied.  These charges are made more useful, however, when they are moving through a conductor.  Moving charge is known as “current.”

How to light a light bulb

You should have the following:

C  Light bulbs

C  Wires

C  Paper clips or other wire connectors

C  Batteries (D-cells) and battery holder

C  Capacitor (blue, green or silver cylinder with electric connectors)

C  Hand-cranked generator (optional)

You should do the following:

C  Determine how one can best light a light bulb.  What battery/bulb combination/configuration works best?  What is crucial to the light bulb lighting?  What is non-crucial?

C  Determine how more than one bulb can be lit at the same time, using the same set of batteries.  How many different ways can this be done?  Which is most preferable?  Why?

C  What is a capacitor?  How does it work?  What is it used for?  How is it similar/different from the device you built to collect static charge?  (You might use the generator in conjunction with the capacitors and light bulbs to get a feeling for what they might be used for in an actual electrical circuit.)

C  How is energy conserved in using the batteries, light bulbs, capacitor and generator?