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How to Teach Kids Electrical Currents

An electrical current is a fairly simple concept that can be a bit difficult for kids to understand. Basically, an electric current can be described as the flow of electricity. Since this can seem like a vague concept, there is a better way to go about teaching kids about electrical currents than just explaining it. A much better way to go about it is to show them through a live demonstration of how an electrical current can move from one area to another to produce power.

Things You'll Need

  • Lemon
  • Large paperclip
  • 18 gauge wire
  • Wire cutters
  • Multi-tester
  • Light bulb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a whole lemon on the table. Push your hand onto it gently and start to roll back and forth to loosen up the juices inside.

    • 2

      Insert a straightened, large paperclip inside the lemon. Only put it in about an inch.

    • 3

      Cut a piece of 18 gauge wire down to six inches using wire cutters. Insert this an inch into the lemon, as well, but be sure it's not touching the paperclip.

    • 4

      Attach the wire in the lemon and the paperclip to the wires on a multi-tester. This device will test the electrical currents being produced by the lemon.

    • 5

      Disconnect the wire and paperclip from the multi-tester and attach them instead to the base of a light bulb. The electric current from the lemon will now be able to light up the light bulb, demonstrating the strength of the current and its ability to produce power.

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