Conductivity Meter

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
In this activity, learners build a simple qualitative conductivity tester with a battery, bulb and foil. Then learners use the device to test if a solution, a series of solutions, and a solution with an electroplate conducts electrical currents. If the solution lights the bulb, learners will know it contains electrolytes (charged particles).

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per student
Age Range:
Ages 11 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Christmas lights
  • Aluminum foil
  • 9V battery
  • Popsicle/craft stick or plastic knife
  • Wire strippers or scissors
  • Tape
  • Cups
  • Water
  • Salt or other ionic solution to test
  • Stainless steel wire instead of aluminum foil (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • Electricity and Magnetism
      • Electric Charges and Currents
      • Electric Circuits
    • Chemistry
      • Chemical Reactions
      • Solutions
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Atomic Structure
      • Elements and Periodic Table
      • Elementary Particles and Nuclear Physics
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Informal Categories

  • Electronics

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Muller, Eric

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Exploratorium, 2006