the-BA : It's Christmas!

At Christmas time loads of people go light-crazy, covering their houses in colourful glowing contraptions. Some of us, on the other hand, have a more subtle approach, simply using a few lights to decorate our trees. Christmas tree lights are sometimes made to flash in sequence, as though a wave of light travels up the light ‘rope’. Christmas tree lights are either connected in series or in parallel. If they’re connected in series, when one light blows, then they all go out!

Have you ever wondered how Christmas tree lights are connected and controlled?

You might like to …

• investigate connecting lights in series and in parallel using the same type of lights and power supply. Use an ammeter and voltmeter to measure the power emitted by the bulbs in each case. Which connection system is best?
• design a Christmas tree light system that flashes in sequence.

Further links:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/christmas-lights.htm

	Home

	Clubs, CREST Awards and Fairs (5-19 yrs)

	CREST Awards (11-19 year olds)

	About CREST

	Project ideas

	Entertainment

	Light and Sound

	Through rose-tinted spectacles

	It's Christmas!

	If music be the food of love...

	Woofers, tweeters and bass bins

	Stereo stacking

	Further Guidance