How many of these items do you already have? We’ve tried to keep it simple for you by making the majority of the items things most people have within reach (both physically and budget-wise).
You do not need to do ALL the experiments – just pick the ones you want to do! Look over the experiments and note which items are needed, and off you go!
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NOTE: Radio Shack part numbers have been replaced. Click here for full chart.
Materials
Materials for the Laser Light Show
- Red laser pointer
- Old CD you can scratch
- 5-6 small mirrors (like mosaic mirrors from a craft store)
- Ice cube
- Window
- Feather
- 3 large paper clips
- 10 brass fasteners
- Index card
- Cardboard
- Rubber band or zip tie
- Scissors
- Tape
- Two 3V DC motors
- Two AA battery packs
- Four AA batteries
- Three alligator wires
- Optional: plastic gem pieces
Materials for the Flashlight-Laser Tag, Laser Burglar Alarm, Door Alarm
- Red laser pointer (NOT GREEN!)
- 2 AA batteries
- Old pair of headphones (you need the plug section)
- Computer OR laptop OR portable amplifier
- CdS Cell
- One AA battery holder
- PNP Transistor 2N3906 or 2N4403
- NPN Transistor 2N3904 or 2N222A
- LED
- 4.7k-ohm resistor
- Soldering equipment or breadboard
- Optional: NC (normally-closed) switch
Materials for Crystal Radio Project: (This is a battery-free radio!)
- Toilet paper tube
- Magnet wire
- Germanium diode: 1N34A
- 4.7k-ohm resistor
- Alligator clip test leads
- 100’ stranded insulated wire (for the antenna)
- Scrap of cardboard
- Brass fasteners (3-4)
- Telephone handset or get a crystal earphone
Oops – that’s a typo! I had this project all set to go, but since most windows today are double-paned instead of single-paned, I had to modify this project so that it would work right. I haven’t finished it yet, but when I do, I will post it to Unit 9, Lesson 2 Experiments. I put the Laser Door Alarm project in its place instead. Sorry for the confusion.
I cannot find the laser listener project. Please help me.
Here’s a particularly annoying-sounding buzzer from Radio Shack, or you could use a siren.
Where do you get the buzzers for the door alarms?
Susan
Try one-inch mirrors – you’ll also need them for the laser maze.
Does it matter their size (the mosaic mirrors) .5 in or 1 in.. Will I need these for other experiments.
What would be the best option?
Thank you,
Denise
They can be circular or square, however you’ll be spinning them at 1,000+ RPM so most folks will put a layer of tape around the edges just in case. Here’s another supplier you can try: Create for Less
Do the mosaic mirrors need to be circular or 1 inch. Can they be square? And then the other options are 3/4 in or 3/8 in square. Amazon is not carrying the ones that are listed for this experiment.
Thank you,
Denise
We’ll be sending you the germanium diode and resistor if you registered for eCamp before it opened! We’re also sending it out to all our current eScience members, too! (Turns out Radio Shack doesn’t carry the diode anymore, either…)