Paper Circuits

Concept: Simple Circuits
A simple circuit is a complete course of conductors through which an electric current can travel. Circuits provide a closed path or loop for the current to flow. To be a circuit, this path must start and end at the same point.

Read Aloud: Paper Inventions by Kathy Ceceri

Ingredients:

      ·         Coin Cell Battery (3V)
      ·         Copper Tape
      ·         LED Stickers
      ·         Binder Clips
      ·         Paper Templates

 Demonstration:

      ·         Fold one corner of the paper and trace the outline of a coin cell battery with a pencil. This will be the on/off switch.

      ·         Stick copper tape on top of the paths printed on the paper, peeling off the backing as you go along. To turn corners, bend the copper tape instead of cutting it. Leave a gap where the LED will be placed.

      ·         Place the LED in the gap between the paths of copper tape.
      ·         Hold the battery in place using a binder clip.

Experiment:

·         What happens if you use aluminum foil instead of copper tape?

·         What happens if you use graphite instead of copper tape?

Observations:
A trace is a path that takes the place of wiring, most commonly seen on a printed circuit board. In paper circuits, conductive copper tape is used as a substitute for wires to connect components. Pressing the on/off switch completes the circuit which lights up the LED.