Audience
Educators
Grade Levels
Grades 5-8, Grades 9-12, Informal Education
Subject
Physical Science, Flight and Aeronautics, Physics
Type
Hands-on Activities
Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s law is a scientific law which states that the amount of current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage applied to it. Whenever a voltage is applied to a conductor, electrical current flows through it. According to Ohm’s law, if the voltage is higher, more current flows through and if the voltage is lower, less current flows through.
Each student or group needs:
- Circuit Template Worksheet
- Voltmeter
- CR2032 battery
- Small binder clip
- Approximately 54” double-sided conductive copper foil tape (1/4” width)
Note: you can also use single-sided conductive copper foil tape but will need to fold over the turns if using this kind of tape and will need a slightly longer piece. Double-sided copper foil tape is conductive on both sides. Some copper tape does not have conductive adhesive, so it is only conductive on one side. An internet search will show tutorials about how to do this. - (5) Resistors – Any resistance will work, but 15-100 Ω resistors are recommended.
You can use 2 resistors per student or group instead of 5, but you will have to move them from circuit to another. - Scissors for cutting conductive tape