Experiment with Conductors and Insulators

Print this page and follow the directions to build your own circuit.

A  conductor  is a material that electricity can flow through easily. An  insulator  is a material that electricity cannot flow through easily. Just as a pot holder insulates you from heat, electrical insulators slow down or resist the flow of electricity.

Ask an adult to help you with this experiment.

1. Get a 1.2-volt lightbulb, a matching lightbulb base, a D-cell battery, three pieces of copper wire with the insulation stripped off the ends, and a banana. Set up the equipment as shown and tape the wires to the battery.
   
   
2. With a partner, gather a variety of objects to test. (Will a lemon slice conduct electricity? Will a paper clip?)
   
   
3. List your items below. Put a "C" by the ones you predict will be the best conductors, and an "I" by those you think will be insulators.
   
   
4. Substitute your objects, one at a time, for the banana. How were the results different from your predictions?
   
   
5. Now take one of your objects that proved to be an insulator, soak it thoroughly with water, and try the experiment again. Were the results different? Why?

© 2002 Culverco, LLC.