How to Make a Wire Light

There are many little science experiments that you can perform at home. With just a few ingredients, you can make a soda bottle explode or build a volcano. Here is a little science experiment that teaches you a little about how electricity is conducted through a wire.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Wire (few inches)
• 12 volt battery
• 2 crocodile clips
• Sticky tape (which doesn't conduct electricity)
• Rubber gloves
• Protective eyewear
• Wire stripper or knife

1. Strip the covering off your wire. To remove the plastic covering simply place a wire cutter around the wire, squeeze, and then pull down. The cover will slip right off.
2. Wrap the wire (which is now "naked") around the base of your screwdriver to form a coil. Remove the screwdriver and set aside the coil.
3. Place a crocodile clip on both the positive and negative side of the 12-volt battery.
4. Fasten the coil to the crocodile clip and battery using a piece of the non-conductive sticky tape. Make sure that the coil is touching a piece of metal on the crocodile clip, which is touching one of the posts on the 12-volt battery.
5. Put your rubber gloves on. This next step is where the risk of shock occurs; you may wear your gloves prior to this point, however it can be a bit cumbersome in working with the wire.
6. Repeat the fastening of the wire to the crocodile clip and the post of the battery. At this point, your science experiment should take off. Step back several feet and watch how you just made a wire light.

Tips & Warnings

• To get the full effect of watching a wire light, set up the experiment and then shut the lights off.