Conduction

How does the exhibit work?

Grasp the metal ring by the handle. Try to move the metal ring over the tubes without hitting them. On some stretches, you can take a break.

What is the science behind it?

Can you take the ring to the other side without making a mistake? Every time you touch the tube, you close the circuit and electrical current runs through it. That is because both the tube and the ring are made of metal and therefore conduct the current well. We call them 'conductors'. Whenever you touch it, an error is added on the counter.

Along the way you will also come across some other materials. Some of them are conductors (so don't touch!), but others allow you to take a break. They are 'insulators' and therefore do not conduct the current.

From left to right, these are the materials:

• Aluminium (conductor)

• Oak (insulator)

• Acrylic, better known as Plexiglas (insulator)

• Synthetic resin, a type of plastic (insulator)

• Copper (conductor)

• PVC (insulator)

• Brass (conductor))

Educational material (3rd grade primary school, 1st and 2nd grade secondary school)

This knowledge will come in handy when you get started with the micro:bit. That's a microcomputer you use to realise big ideas. In the 'micro:bit' project, you will learn how to do this with your students. Go to www.brightlab.be.

Conductive bacteria in your smartphone?

Your smartphone contains conductive materials, such as copper or silver. But if your smartphone breaks down, only some of it is recycled. The rest ends up on the rubbish heap. So it would be better to replace those metals with biodegradable bacteria!

Belgian scientists are working hard to make this happen. There are cable bacteria living on the seabed and, like metal, they can conduct current. So who knows, you might soon be able to throw your broken smartphone onto the compost heap.