Electricity

Previous knowledge Atomic structure OC 39 Static electricity OP 48

Teaching and learning issues Misconceptions are plentiful –partial understanding –simple ideas: wrong track right lines

Starting point Where students are now Probes

Wrong track Right lines no gaps in a complete circuit energy comes from a battery electricity flows charged particles travel add a battery for a brighter bulb extra battery gives more energy battery runs out of energy battery stores electricity electricity from both ends of the battery electricity is used up battery runs out of charged particles battery runs out of electric current

Pupils need to Understand and be able to measure –current –potential difference (Voltage) –resistance Establish the relationship between them (OP50)

Pupils need to Be able to picture what is going on –as charged particles gain energy from the battery and move in the circuit –as energy is converted in those parts of the circuit with resistance. –as energy is transferred to and from charged particles as they move in the circuit

Starter activities Class practical activity –capture interest –review the idea of a complete circuit –encourage pupils to talk and think about simple electric circuits –engage pupils designing and making circuits

Next activity-the Big Circuit Having had a chance to think through their ideas pupils are shown a circuit. The Big Circuit The size of the circuit highlights the need for some transport mechanism to transfer energy from the battery to the bulb

Next activity -Supermarket vans analogy Provides a way of helping pupils to develop an understanding of abstract concepts such as energy, charged particles and current, by relating them directly to familiar everyday objects (such as supermarket delivery vans)

The empty vans go back to the bakery to get more bread Each van takes the bread to the supermarket Empty vans collect bread at the bakery The vans deliver the bread to the supermarket

Next activity – Rope Analogy Provides a way of helping pupils to develop an understanding of abstract concepts (charged particles, current, resistance) by relating them directly to the movement of a rope round a loop.

Energy is transferred There is a continuous and steady flow of charges in all parts of the complete circuit Chemical energy converted to electrical energy in battery