Electricity

 

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  We  take for granted. It lights up rooms, keeps us warm, and makes things go. It is important that we know how it works.

 

1.We get Electricity from Mains or batteries.

2. A circuit is a complete route or .

3. An electric circuit has electricity flowing through it.

4. Electricity only flows when the circuit is complete with no gaps

 

 

How It Works

VOLTAGE AND CURRENT

Voltage is the electric force that causes the free electrons to move from one atom to another.

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		Activity Revision Bite Quiz
		Activity Revision Bite Quiz
		Activity Revision Bite Quiz

 

Just like water needs pressure to force it through a hose, electrical current needs some force to make it flow. A volt is the measure of electric pressure. Voltage is usually supplied by a battery or a generator.

The scientific symbol for voltage is the letter "E" dating back to the early days of electricity when it was called "Electromotive Force." Electricians and wiring books use the letter "V", for Volts.

 

Current is electricity in motion. It measures the amount of electrons that can flow through a material like a conductor. Electrical current is measured in amperes or "amps" for short. Amperes is like the amount of water flowing through a hose in a certain amount of time or the amount of electricity flowing through a wire. The scientific symbol for amps is the letter "I".

 

When current flows through a conductor it creates heat because of resistance. Resistance is how tight the material is holding the electrons. You may notice that a cord from an appliance may feel warm after running for a long time. That is the amperage flowing in the circuit. The more amps moving the more heat is produced. When a wire carries too many amps for its size, it becomes "overloaded" and the insulation can melt and cause a fire or can shock you if you touch it. That's why it is important to have the correct wire size. For example, use a heavy enough extension cord so it doesn't get real warm when you use it.

Smaller and shorter wires have more resistance than wider and longer wires because the current has a "tighter" space to move through.

 

http://www.firstenergycorp.com/kids/index.html

 

Step #1:

First we will watch a short movie that shows why electricity is important in our lives

 

Click Below

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/siliconspies/flash/concepts/electricity.htm

 

 

next we will see  how simple circuits work

 

Click Below

 

 

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/siliconspies/flash/concepts/simplecircuits.htm

 

 

Step #2- Let's have a little fun

 

Electricity Game

 

 

 

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/siliconspies.htm

 

 

Changing Electric Circuits Make and change electrical circuits.

 

Electrical Safety

 

Grades K-6

 

 

 

Step#3- Projects:

 

 A. During class time in Science  Class your teacher will give you wire a battery and a light. Can you figure out how to make a complete circuit and light up the light?

 

 

 

The Relay	The Electric Bell	Two Way Switch
Shows how a small (safe) current can be used to control a much larger current.	Shows how an electric bell works. Pressing the push-switch makes the bell work in slow motion so that the actions can be understood more easily. Labels are an optional extra.	A visual aid to help explain the workings of a landing light switching system.
KS3	KS3	KS3

 

Switches 2	Variable Resistor	Switch Starter
An alternative to 'Switches 1'. The circuit comprises a bulb and an electric motor controlled independantly by toggle switches. In addition, a push switch is placed parallel to the bulb to demonstrate the effect of a short circuit.	Shows how the brightness of a bulb and the current in a simple circuit is controlled by a variable resistor.	A simple starter for a lesson on electricity. Students are required to work out which switch will turn on the light bulb.
KS3	KS3	KS3

Energy...

Electricity and Magnetism...

Bouncing Ball	Voltage and Current	Switches 1
A ball can be dropped onto one of three surfaces and the bounce height can be observed. The demonstation also shows how the gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy of the ball varies with time.	Shows how the current in a simple circuit depends on the voltage. Different voltages can be selected on the power supply and the voltage and current can be read off the meters.	An electric motor and two bulbs are arranged so they can be independantly controlled by push switches. This can be used as a starter to introduce more complex switching arrangemants or as a simple plenary to a lesson on circuits.
KS4, KS5	KS3, KS4	KS3

 

Step #4 Assessment

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/changing_circuits_fs.shtml

 

 

 

 

 

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