ELECTRICITY

Electricity is very important in our lives. We would find it very hard to do without it. There are so many things in our homes that are powered by electricity. Imagine you woke up this morning and had no electricity. What difference would it make to your normal morning routine?

How do we get electricity to our homes? Use these words to fill the blanks: mains, power station, homes, ground, pylons, cables. Electricity goes from the _______________ to our homes, shops, and factories. It travels along thick wires called …………………… Metal towers called ………………….. hold the cables high above the ……………….. In towns and cities there is no room for the pylons so the cables are put under the ……………….. Thinner cables bring the electricity into your …………… The electricity that comes to our home is called _____________ electricity Where are the wires and cables in your home? ……………………………………………………………………………… What happens when we switch plug sockets on?

Label the picture with the following words: Power plant Cables Substation Pylon

Most of the large appliances in our home are powered by Mains Electricity. Mains Electricity is a supply of electrical energy Mains appliances change or convert this electrical energy into other forms of energies: Light, movement, sound and heat. Can you name one appliance powered by mains electricity for each energy?

There are many dangers in using mains electricity There are many dangers in using mains electricity. Can you match the dangers with the pictures? Don’t use a plug if it is damaged. Don’t plug in many plugs into one socket. Don’t plug in an electric appliance with wet hands. Do not use electrical appliances near water. Water and Electricity do not mix.

Battery Power Many small electrical appliances use batteries. Batteries are also a source of electrical energy Battery powered appliances also convert electrical energy into heat, light, sound and movement energy Can you think of some battery powered appliances for each source of energy?

Which appliances are battery powered? Which are mains powered?

A circuit is made using different components A circuit is made using different components. Can you name the components of this simple circuit and draw the symbols? Component Symbol

Will these circuits work? If it won’t work give reasons.

Electricity travels easily through electrical conductors, like metals. Example: silver, iron , copper and aluminium.

Foil Steel spoon Copper wire Aluminium Can Iron Pan

Materials that do not let electricity pass through them easily are called electrical insulators. Plastic, wood, glass and rubber are good electrical insulators.

Example of insulators Glass Wooden Spoons Rubber gloves Plastic Bottles

What are conductors? What are insulators? Which items when connected to the gap will make the bulb light up? What are those items called? Coin, paper, plastic bottle, pencil lead, aluminium foil, pen, copper wire, metal nail. Bulb lights up Bulb doesn't light