Concepts

Flow of electrons through a conductor, resistance

Overview

This model simulates the flow of electrons through a conductor as well as the resistance experienced by the electrons. When electrons flow through a conducting medium, they will run into a complex lattice of atoms and thus they are not moving in a straight line. In this model, ping pong balls navigating through an arrangement of nails represent free electrons moving past atoms in a conductor.

Details

Equipment

• [1] Board with an arrangement of nails
• [4] Ping pong ball
• [4] Small foam ball

Script

1. Lean the board against the wall.
2. Let the ping pong balls or foam balls roll down from the top.
3. As the balls roll down, point out they are slowed by collisons with the "atoms".

Additional Resources