Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

How can you make the "taps" on the crystal radio without cutting the wire. What is the easiest way to strip the insulation from a continuous piece of wire?

It depends on what kind of wire you're using. If using enamel wire, sandpaper can be used to remove the insulation on any part you want.

If you're using plastic insulated wire, have an adult take a sharp knife and shave the insulation off one side of the wire with the knife. Bend the wire away from the shaved side, and pull on the opposite side of the insulation and it will pull off of that segment of wire (but still be attached at both ends. You can either just leave the insulation sitting there and twist the tap as shown in the diagram, or if you don't like the look of the loop of insulation, you can clip it off with a fine pair of scissors or a nail clipper.

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like it should work well.