Basic Electricity Worksheet

Not only does this experiment illustrate the dual principles of electromagnetism and electromagnetic induction, but it also demonstrates how easy it is to set up a simple sound-powered audio telephony system.

It is highly recommended to have an identical pair of “woofer” speakers located in the classroom for this experiment, as well as a long length of twin-wire cable (an old piece of extension cord wire works well for this purpose, with alligator-clip “jumper” wires to make the connections).

The easy answer to this question is “the Law of Conservation of Energy (or the Second Law of Thermodynamics) forbids it,” but citing such a “Law” really doesn’t explain why perpetual motion machines are doomed to failure. It is important for students to realize that reality is not bound to the physical “Laws” scientists set; rather, what we call “Laws” are actually just descriptions of regularities seen in nature. It is important to emphasize critical thinking in a question like this, for it is no more intellectually mature to deny the possibility of an event based on dogmatic adherence to a Law than it is to naively believe that anything is possible.