Conductor Detector

Project Number: 9 (NOTE: THIS TITLE IS SUPPOSED TO BE CONDUCTION DETECTOR.)

Parts Needed For Circuit: All the Parts Used From Project #7, S1 Replaced With Paperclip

OBJECTIVE: To make a circuit that detects the conduction of electricity in different materials.

Description: Rebuild the circuit from Project #7 but leave the slide switch (S1) out as shown on the left. When you place a metal paper clip across the terminals as shown in the picture on the left, current flows from the batteries (B1) through the resistor (R1), through the LED (D1), and back to the battery. The paper clip completes the circuit and current flows through the LED. Place your fingers across the terminals and the LED does not light. Your body has a too high of a resistance too allow enough current to flow to light the LED. If the voltage, which is electrical pressure, was higher, the current could be pushed through you fingers and the LED would light. This detector can be used to see if a material like plastic is a good conductor or a poor conductor.