Remember… Static electricity happens when there is a build up of charges on the surface of an object. (Static means “not moving”

Lightning

http://www. pbslearningmedia. org/resource/phy03. sci. phys. mfw http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.lightning/lightning/ Describe Benjamin Franklin's experiment. What did it teach us about lightning? What causes lightning? Have you ever seen lightning? In which direction did you think it was traveling? What did you learn from the video about the direction in which lightning travels? Electrical charge builds up in a cloud before we see lightning. Can you think of an example from your everyday life where an electric charge builds up in much the same way?

Current electricity is when charges move through an object.

Static or Current Shock from walking on a carpet Power lines in a house Flashlight Solar Calculator Lightning Light Switch

Static or Current Shock from walking on a carpet Static Power lines in a house Current Flashlight Solar Calculator Lightning Light Switch

Conductors and Insulators Electricity cannot flow through all types of materials. Some materials block the path of electricity. Conductor – any material that electricity can flow through easily. Ex: metals, water, people Insulator – any material that electricity cannot flow through. Ex: rubber, plastic, glass, wood

Electrical cords on devices are covered in plastic Electrical cords on devices are covered in plastic. The metal wire inside is often made of copper, which is an excellent conductor. Electricity flows through the wire, but not through the plastic, so that you can touch the cord. This is why electricians wear thick rubber gloves. Interesting… A finger can operate a touch screen. A tiny amount of electric charge in the touch screen moves into the finger. This tells the device where the finger is pointing. What happens when you wear gloves?