What is an electric current?

1. Exploration Can your group agree on an explanation about what you need to do to make a light bulb light up? What evidence do you have to support your ideas? What evidence is there that may not support your ideas?

2. Switch it on What is needed for an electric current to flow? What do you think an electric current is like? What evidence supports your ideas about what an electric current is like? What else would you like to find out to help you understand more about an electric current?

3. Instant reaction Why do you think the light comes on immediately, even when the wire is really long? Do your ideas about this fit with your ideas about an electric current? Does everyone in your group agree? What would help you understand more about an electric current?

4. All moving at once Can you explain why a bulb will light immediately when the circuit is switched on? How does this fit with your ideas about a circuit needing to be complete? Has your group improved their ideas about an electric current? What are your new ideas? What evidence are you using to support your ideas?

5. Inside the bulb Think about what you know about an electric current – will the light bulb you have drawn work in a circuit? What about another group’s drawing? Would their light bulb work? What have they drawn that you agree with? Is there anything that you do not agree with? How can you explain to the other group why you agree or disagree with their ideas?

6. Changing direction What happens when you reverse the wires? What might be happening that you cannot see? What do you notice about reversing the wires when you use the motor? What does this tell you about what an electric current is like? Does this support your existing ideas?

7. Back to the start and future learning How have your ideas changed today? What progress have you made with your understanding of an electric current? What arguments have you used to explain your point of view or idea? What other evidence would help you understand better?