Introduction: The MacGyver Flashlight
How to light a bulb with one wire and one battery.
Step 1: Obtain a Battery, an Electric Wire, and a Small Light Bulb
That's right. You only need one wire.
Step 2: Strip Both Ends of the Wire
Remove the insulation covering the metal portion of the wire with a knife or wire stripper to expose the ends of the wire about one cm long.
Step 3: Twist the Ends of the Wire
The copper threads in the wire may flair out and make it hard to handle. Grasp the wire in one hand toward the end of the insulation, then twist the threads with your other hand to form a solid wire.
Step 4: Connect the Wire to the Battery
Hold one end of the wire to one of the battery terminals.
Step 5: Connect the Bulb to the Wire
Hold the other end of the wire to the threads on the side of the metal portion of the bulb.
Step 6: Complete the Circuit
Place the bottom tip of the bulb on the other terminal of the battery.
14 Comments
Question 3 years ago on Introduction
Please long can the light bulb that was just lit last
Question 4 years ago on Introduction
I have a 7 Watt bulb, is this the right size for this project?
Answer 3 years ago
I think it depends on how strong your battery is
4 years ago
Shut you ding dong mouth it actually works thanks man
4 years ago on Step 1
Does the size of the bulb have to be small as the one in the demonstration?
6 years ago
Didn't work for me?
6 years ago
why
8 years ago on Step 2
Is there a certain type of bulb you must use?
11 years ago on Step 4
we did this in school but with a diff battery and a diff way does it light up with one wire
14 years ago on Introduction
or, you could just lean the bulb on both terminals.
14 years ago on Step 6
you know, you could just cut the wire in half.
14 years ago on Introduction
If you red a book for kids about electronics, you know this... :S
14 years ago on Introduction
...i think that every ones knows how to make this circuit
14 years ago on Introduction
No no no, this won't do - MacGyver would have used pine cones, insects, toothpaste, coinage or otherwise some things that you'd say of: "you cannot make a flashlight out of them?" A battery and a bulb would have been too easy for MacGyver (or the A-team for that matter) L