How To Build A Buzzer For A Science Project

An electronic buzzer is one of the first electronic projects that you'll typically build. The simplest variation consists of a circuit with a battery, buzzer and switch. The buzzer sounds when you close the circuit and stops when you open the circuit. This is an ideal first project because it's simple, produces a verifiable result and is safe because it doesn't require a large current. It can be completed primarily with common household items and requires only a few special purchases.

Step 1

Strip about 1 cm of the insulation from both ends of the wire with the wire stripper. Electrical wiring consists of two individual wires that are separated by insulation. You will need to completely remove the insulation from both wires.

Step 2

Connect the wires on one end of the electrical wire to the battery holder. Attach one wire to the positive terminal of the battery holder and the other wire to the negative terminal. Wrap electrical tape around the two bare wires on the battery holder. This will ensure that they do not touch each other and create a short circuit.

Step 3

Attach the other ends of the wires to the buzzer. Connect each wire to one of the buzzer's terminals and wrap electrical tape around the bare wires to keep them from touching. Test the circuit by placing the battery in the battery holder. The buzzer should begin sounding as soon as you install the battery.

Step 4

Cut one of the wires in half at about the midpoint without cutting the other wire. Strip about 1 cm from both ends of this wire. Press a thumbtack slightly into each arm of the clothespin so that they touch when the clothespin is closed. Wrap each end of the wire that you cut previously around one of the thumbtacks and push the thumbtacks all the way through. The buzzer should sound until you pinch the clothespin open.