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Everyday Machines / Week 06 / Thursday
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Week 06 · The Light Switch

Thursday

Test the loop
// A loop, a gap and a glow
⏱ about 15 min

Thursday: Test the Loop

"Does the light reach the far wall?" Rocket asks.

Raven turns off the room lights and holds the flashlight.

"What do you notice about the spot on the wall?" she asks.

Nova dims her glow. "Try it near, then far."

Test one: does the switch make the loop or the gap?

Test two: does the light carry energy across the room?

Change one thing at a time. Try each test twice.

  • A loaded flashlight
  • A dim room
  • A wall
  • A grown-up
  • Paper and a pencil
Safety first
A grown-up loads the flashlight with AA or smaller batteries.
Never shine the light in anyone's eyes.
Walk slowly in the dim room. Clear the floor first.
No outlets, plugs or wall wires. Flashlight only.

Test one: switch on, switch off

  1. Slide the switch on. Does the bulb glow?
  2. Slide the switch off. Does the bulb glow?
  3. Do it again and write what you see.
SwitchTry oneTry two
On
Off

Test two: near and far

  1. Stand one step from the wall. Shine the light.
  2. Look at the spot. Is it small or big? Bright or dim?
  3. Step back five steps. Shine again.
  4. Write what the spot looked like each time.
DistanceSpot sizeBright or dim?
One step
Five steps
WHAT HAPPENED?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Switch on. What did the bulb do?
Switch off. What did the bulb do?
Did the light reach the far wall?

Energy on the move

The battery holds energy.

Electricity carries it around the loop to the bulb.

The bulb turns it into light.

Light carries the energy across the room to the wall.

SentenceTrue or false?
Electricity carries energy to the bulb.?
Light can cross a room.?
A fair test changes many things at once.?
Shining a light in eyes is fine.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEEnergy moves from the battery to the bulb to the wall.
Draw the flashlight and the spot on the wall. Add arrows for the light.

You tested a circuit and watched energy travel!

Tomorrow, you explain the switch.

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