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Re: Flashlight Bulbs



When I do B & B, the activity, not the drink, I start using smaller
batteries, usually AA rather than D cells or dry cells. I do this
because beginners are likely to short the wire across the battery
terminals if they just have a battery, bulb, and one wire. The smaller
cells have a small shortcircut current and are less likely to burn their
fingers where the wire contacts the battery terminal.
Swapping batteries later give me a chance to keep track of how many they
have, and hence save on bulbs.

cheers,

joe

On Thu, 4 Apr 2002,
Chris Horton wrote:

Another trick about flashlight bulbs is not to let the students lay their
hands on more than two dry cells. I was lax and naive on this and before I
knew it there were bulbs burning out in flashes of glory all over the
classroom as students connected 5 or 6 cells in series! That can get
expensive.

In one way or another let them know from the start they will be held
responsible if they blow bulbs frivolously.

8-)

Chris


Joseph J. Bellina, Jr. 219-284-4662
Associate Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556