Elenco Projects 102-305 - Manual (Page 37)

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Project #203
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate how batteries can store electricity.
Build the circuit, then connect points Y & Z (use a 2-snap wire) for a
moment. Nothing appears to happen, but you just filled up the 470
μ F
capacitor (C5) with electricity. Now disconnect Y & Z and instead touch
a connection between X & Y. The green LED (D2) will be lit and then go
out after a few seconds as the electricity you stored in it is discharged
through the LED and resistor (R2).
Notice that a capacitor is not very efficient at storing electricity -
compare how long the 470
μ F kept the LED lit for with how your
batteries run all of your projects! That is because a capacitor stores
electrical energy while a battery stores chemical energy.
Make Your Own
Battery
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate how batteries can store electricity. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate how batteries can store electricity.
Now replace the 1k Ω resistor (R2) with the 100 Ω resistor (R1) and try it.
The LED (D2) gets brighter but goes out faster because less resistance
allows the stored electricity to dissipate faster.
In the preceding circuit, replace the 470 μ F capacitor (C5) with the
100 μ F capacitor (C3) and repeat the test. You see that the LED (D2)
goes out faster, because the 100 μ F capacitor does not store as much
electricity as the 470 μ F.
Project #204
Make Your Own
Battery (II)
Project #205
Make Your Own
Battery (III)
Visit www.snapcircuits.net or page 74 to learn about Snap Circuits ® upgrade kits, which have more parts and circuits.