Q&A for How to Make a Simple Electrical Circuit

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Question

Where can I find a battery pack?

Bess Ruff, MA
Environmental Scientist
Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

Bess Ruff, MA

Environmental Scientist

Expert Answer

You should be able to purchase a battery pack at your local hardware store.

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Question

Do I have to use a light bulb holder?

Community Answer

You don't have to use the holder, but it will be simpler if you do. If you don't have one, try putting the positive wire on the bottom of the bulb and then put the negative on the side part.

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Question

If I don't have a battery pack what should I do?

Community Answer

Use the black insulation tape to keep the batteries in place instead of a battery pack.

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Question

What can I use as a substitute for electrical tape?

Community Answer

You can use plumber's tape. Scotch tape will also work in some cases, but it won't insulate electricity as well as electrical tape.

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Question

What is the difference between AC and DC current?

Community Answer

Alternating Current and Direct Current. Alternating current is the type of current you get from a power plant, and an outlet, in which the current changes direction rapidly. Direct Current is the type of current you get from a battery, always moving in one direction.

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Question

What should I do if I don't have a bulb holder?

Yoosuf Irusham Labeeb

Community Answer

You don't have to use the holder, but it will be simpler if you do. If you don't have one, try putting the positive wire on the bottom of the bulb and then put the negative on the side part.

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Question

My bulb lit up, but the filament looks burned. Should I replace the bulb?

Community Answer

Yes, replace the bulb.

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Question

Which battery should I use to make a simple electrical circuit?

Community Answer

You should probably use D, C, or a 9-volt battery to get the most charge.

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Question

While inserting a switch, is it mandatory to use a specific size, or can I use a bigger or smaller one?

Community Answer

It is not mandatory, but it would be better if you use a small one.

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Question

Will the circuit flow without a resistor?

Community Answer

Yes, if the battery's voltage is equal to the watt that the lightbulb needs.

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Question

How do I make a one-way switch that controls two lights?

Community Answer

You can make it with the use of a series by connecting the two bulbs' wires to the single switch. Then, when you press the switch, the two bulbs will light up.

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Question

Which type of battery do I need to use?

Community Answer

A 9v will do.

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Question

What do I do if the light bulb has more volts than my battery?

Community Answer

Change your battery into a new one which has an equal amount of voltage as the light bulb, or more.

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Question

Which type of bulb should I use?

Community Answer

I would use a filament light bulb, which looks like the one in the pictures.

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Question

How do I make a Tesla coil?

Community Answer

Reference wikiHow article Make a Tesla Coil .

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Question

Should I cut through one double layered wire to make it into two?

Community Answer

No, it's not worth it. You could make a mistake, cut too deep into one of the wires, and run the risk of running electricity through live wires with exposed sections. The 'science' of the idea works, but it's really not worth the effort compared to using two separate wires.

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Question

Where can I find wires?

Community Answer

You may purchase wires online or at a hardware store.

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Question

Is it all right if I use a single battery?

Community Answer

It is fine to use a single battery, but in this case, the light from the bulb will be dimmer than using two batteries.

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Question

What kind of wire do I need?

Community Answer

Insulated wires are the best, but any wires will do. You can find them at your local hardware store.

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Question

What can I do if I only have one wire?

Community Answer

I recommend cutting the wire into smaller pieces.

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Question

How do I put the batteries in the wire with the insulator tape?

Community Answer

Put the negative wire to the negative battery and the positive to the positive battery, then the insulated tap would be used to affix on both terminal tops.

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Question

What do I do if the bulb is not lighting?

Community Answer

You need to check your wire, maybe it's too long for the battery. Check the light bulb that you are using, maybe its filament got broken. Maybe your battery has run out.

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Question

What must I do if my light bulb holder doesn't have screws?

Community Answer

You don't have to use screws to connect your light bulb with the wire that you are using. You can use anything as long it's an electricity insulator.

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Question

What will be the result after the connection?

Community Answer

Your light bulb will light up, because the electrons stored into the batteries finally have a pathway.

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Question

Where do I attach the wire to the light bulb?

Community Answer

The positive side should be attached to the bottom of the bulb and the negative side should be attached to the metal tip of the light.

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Question

What if I run out of wire?

Community Answer

You can use another wire to connect the "too short wire" to whatever you want to connect it too.

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Question

What should I do if the filament is broken?

Community Answer

Replace the bulb.

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Question

How long does it take to make the circuit?

Community Answer

It depends on how experienced you are, but it probably won't take more than half an hour to an hour.

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Question

Can I use a car light bulb for this?

Community Answer

As long as it doesn't have more volts/watts than the battery, or the circuit will not work

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Question

Is using a 9 volt battery compulsory for a simple electrical circuit?

Community Answer

You could also use a D or a C battery to replace the 9 volt battery. You can use others, but these are the strongest.

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