Flashlight tutorial

This is what we did on Wednesday afternoon at our house. It was so neat we had to share it. I got the idea from a Cub Scout Roundtable meeting.

flashlight assembly 007

You will need this stuff plus some newspaper and electrical tape.

The tiny bulb is a flashlight bulb. Look in the camping aisle at your local camping store/Wal-Mart.

We used a C battery, but you could try another size. It’s science, so have fun.

flashlight assembly 008

Cut a piece of electrical wire about 4 1/2 inches long.

flashlight assembly 011

Strip each end of the wire.

flashlight assembly 012

It will look like this.

flashlight assembly 013

Using scissors or a drill, make a hole in the lid of the bottle. Be careful not to make it too big. You want the bulb to fit through it snugly.

flashlight assembly 014

It doesn’t have to be perfect.

flashlight assembly 042

Slide the bulb through the hole.

flashlight assembly 019

Wrap wire around the positive side of the battery. Actually, any end will do, but this seemed to be easier for us.

flashlight assembly 025

Tape into place.

flashlight assembly 026

Wrap the other end of the wire around the end of the flashlight bulb.

flashlight assembly 027

Tape into place, keeping the end contact of the bulb exposed.

flashlight assembly 028

Your assembly will look like this.

flashlight assembly 021

Place enough newspaper in the bottom of the pill container so the battery will touch the bulb when assembled.

flashlight assembly 029

Insert battery & wire into the container. Screw the lid on (upside down).

Once you touch the bulb to the battery, it should light up. If not, check your connections.

flashlight assembly 045

Go in a dark place and be amazed. You just made a flashlight!

flashlight assembly 033

Published by

Angela

I write so my family will always have letters from home.