Magic Wand

How does it work? When electricity flows through an LED (light-emitting diode), the LED lights up We need a battery, two LEDs, some wire, a switch and some know-how!

Need to learn some things How to read an electrical schematic What parts we’re using How to build the flashlight

Reading Schematics: What’s this? Battery

What’s this? Diode Lets current flow one direction but not the other YES X NO

Electrical circuit Must have a closed path all the way from one terminal of the battery to the other

Will current flow?

How about here?

And here?

Will current flow?

How about now?

Schematic versus real life long lead is anode anode cathode

Here’s our battery Called a coin or button battery This one is only 3 V Hey, we don’t need a resistor then! Notice the top is positive- that should connect to the anode (long lead)

Are you ready to build? Star Coin battery LED 2 pieces wire Paper clip Straw Sandpaper

LEDs: one lead is longer! If you forget which is longer, look for the flat- that’s the short lead

Bend the LONG lead

Lay the long lead on the battery Short! Must be the side with the writing! Short! Short! TAPE IT!

Burn speaker leads Burn 1 inch of the end of each of the two wires coming off the coil.

Scrape the soot off the ends Burned (black) Not burned yet (golden)

Make a loop, tape it to back of battery

Open up the paper clip Twist other end of wire around back of alligator’s mouth

Attach second wire to other LED lead

Tape battery to star

Tape straw to star

Put tape inside alligator’s mouth

Tape paper clip to handle

Put burned part of wire inside alligator’s mouth

Tape the end of the wire Don’t get tape INSIDE mouth

Tape other end of wire

You are done! Squeeze the paper clip to close the circuit and light up the wand!