Nerve Tester

Electrical circuits are used for all kinds of applications, from blenders to hair dryers to cars. And games! Here’s a quick and easy game using the principles of conductivity.

This experiment is a test of your nerves and skill to see if you can complete the roller coaster circuit and make it from one end to the other.  You can opt to make a noisy version (more fun) or a silent version (for stealth). Are you ready?

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Here’s what you need:

• AA battery case
• 2 AA batteries
• 3 alligator wires
• buzzer or LED
• wire coat hanger (sandpaper might be needed if yours is coated with enamel)
• popsicle stick
• vice grips
• tape
• wood block or foam block

 
Download Student Worksheet & Exercises

Here’s what you do:

1. Insert batteries into cases and connect a buzzer (or LED for a silent game) so that it works. Set aside as you make the next part.
2. Using a paper clip, form a loop and secure to a popsicle stick so that it looks like a bubble wand, with the ends poking out of the bottom of the tape. Bend the ends up so you can clip onto them with your alligator clips later. (You should have ¼ – ½” poking upwards).
3. Bend and twist an un-insulated coat hanger wire into spirals and dizzy roller-coaster shapes. When you’ve got right, make a small loop at each end. Insert one screw into each small loop and screw into wood base, about 10” apart (be sure to thread the bubble wand loop onto wire first!). Your roller coaster wire should stand up on its own.
4. Disconnect the clip lead wire from your positive battery terminal and clip it to the exposed paper clip end on your popsicle-stick bubble-wand. Wrap the exposed end of the positive terminal around one end of the coat hanger near the screw and seal with tape.
5. Can you travel the entire path without setting off the buzzer (or light)? (The photo above has both!) Where in your circuit can you add a switch to turn the game on and off?

Troubleshooting:
1. Make sure your coat hanger is really just a bare rod of metal. Sandpaper the entire length before using it in the project.

2. Make sure the batteries are fresh and inserted the right way.

3. Use a block of wood or foam for best results… they are both excellent insulators for the wire track.

4. Places where kids most often forget to hook up: (a) connect the wire to a bare spot on the track itself, near the base; (b) be sure your loop also has a wire connection.

Exercises

1. Can you travel the entire path without turning on the light?
2. Where in your circuit can you add a switch to turn the game on and off?

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