The Energy Ping-Pong Ball and Parallel/Series Circuits

So last friday, we were given an activity by Mr. Chung. The activity involved these 12 questions we had to answer and an energy ball which Mr. Chung refers to as a ping-pong ball. The ping-pong ball lights up when

Question 1: Can you make the energy ball work? What do you think makes the ball flash and hum?
Yes, we can make the ball work by touching and holding the 2 metal contacts with two of our fingers. What makes the ball light up and hum? Ourselves. Humans are conductors so when we touch the metal contacts, the current flows and the ball lights up.

Question 2: Why do you have to touch both metal contacts to make the ball work?
So that the circuit will be complete and the current can flow through the ball.

Question 3: Will the ball light up if you connect the contacts with any material?
Only materials that are conductors will make the ball work.

Question 4: Which materials will make the energy ball work? Test you hypothesis.
Since the material has to be a conductor, our fingers and metals should make the ball work.

Question 5: This ball does not work on certain individuals, what could cause this to happen?
Those certain individuals most likely have dry skin. In order for the circuit to work, one should have enough mositure in their hands so that the circuit can flow properly.

Question 6: Can you make the energy ball work with your group? Will it work with the class?
Yes, our group was able to connect and make a circuit that allowed the ball to light up.

Question 7: What kind of circuit can you form with the energy ball?
The circuit we made with the one energy ball is a simple circuit.

Question 8: Given two balls (combine with another group) can you create a circuit where both balls light up?
Yes, we were able to connect another ball into the circuit and made both balls light up.

Question 9: What do you think will happen if one person lets go of the other person's hand and why?
The circuit becomes incomplete and both balls will not light up.

Question 10: Does it matter who let's go? Try it.
No, it doesn't matter who let's go because there is only one path in the circuit. Anyone that let's go will break the path and thus the circuit.

Question 11: Can you create a circuit where only one ball lights (both balls must be included in the circuit)?
Yes, but in order to do that, we need to make a parallel circuit.

Question 12: What is the minimum amount of people required to complete this?
Just one. One person can hold each ball in one of their hands with their fingers. If they let go one finger on a ball, that ball will stop working, but the other ball will continue to flash.

So what's the difference between a series circuit and parallel circuit? A series circuit only has one continuous path, while a parallel circuit has more than one path. This means that in a series circuit, if the path becomes broken anywhere in the circuit, the load will instantly stop working. But in a parallel circuit, if the path becomes broken, at least 1 load will work while another would stop working.