Electricity

Lessons 1 What Gives Matter A Charge? 2 How Does Electrical Energy Get Around? 3 How Do You Make Electricity Do What You Want? 4 What’s the Best Pathway for Electrons?

What Gives Matter a Charge? Lesson 1: What Gives Matter a Charge?

In the activity “Opposites Attract, Likes Repel” on pages 12-13, you made two observations: Objects with opposite charges (one negative, one positive) will attract each other. Objects with like charges (both negative or both positive) will repel each other.

You also learned that the build-up of electrical charges in one place is called STATIC ELECTRICITY.

Let’s see what else you remember!

A particle with a positive charge is called a/an _______________. proton neutron electron

A particle with a negative charge is called a/an _______________. proton neutron electron

charge charge attract attract repel repel _________ means to push away. _________ means to pull together. charge charge attract attract repel repel

positive neutral negative If an electrically-neutral object GAINS electrons, what charge does it now have? positive neutral negative

positive neutral negative If an electrically-neutral object LOSES electrons, what charge does it now have? positive neutral negative

currents contact neutrons Static electricity is placed on an object by _____________ such as combing hair or rubbing a balloon with a wool cloth. currents contact neutrons

How did you do? I did great! I understand static electricity! I’m getting there, but I’d like some more practice.

Marvelous! Go on to Lesson 2

What is the difference between open and closed circuits? Lesson 2: What is the difference between open and closed circuits?

circuit open circuit closed circuit Click on a term to reveal its definition. circuit open circuit closed circuit Proceed to quiz

Circuit: A closed-loop path of conduction through which an electric current flows

Open circuit: An incomplete path that will not permit an electric current to flow

Closed circuit: A complete path for electric current

Quiz: What type of circuit is shown in each of the following examples? Open circuit Closed circuit

Open circuit Closed circuit

Closed circuit Open circuit

Open circuit Closed circuit

Open circuit Closed circuit

Now that you’re done, do you feel like you understand the difference between open and closed circuits? Yes, I understand. No, I’d like more practice.

Way to go! Go on to Lesson 3

How Do You Make Electricity Do What You Want? Lesson 3: How Do You Make Electricity Do What You Want?

You have just completed the “Will it Conduct?” activity on pages 34-35. Let’s briefly review what you learned!

Click on a term to reveal its definition and examples. Insulator Conductor Continue

Insulator: a substance through which electricity cannot flow readily Examples… wood plastic rubber sulfur glass

Conductor: a material through which electrons can move easily Examples… brass aluminum copper graphite water

Which of these items are conductors?

Which of these items are insulators?

Are you confident in your understanding of conductors and insulators? Yes, I’m confident. No, I’d like more practice.

Great job! Go on to Lesson 4

What’s the Best Pathway for Electrons? Lesson 4: What’s the Best Pathway for Electrons?

and You have learned that there are two main types of circuits: Parallel Series and

Parallel circuits are circuits with more than one pathway through which electrons can flow. Series circuits are circuits with only one pathway through which electrons can flow.

What type of circuits are shown in the following examples? parallel series

Flashlight parallel series

parallel series

Home lighting parallel series

Holiday lights parallel series

Car headlights parallel series

Security systems parallel series

How did you do? Were you certain about your answers? Yes, I knew them. No, I’d like more practice.

Fantastic! Keep up the good work!

If you’d like to read more about electricity, check these out! Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by his good mouse Amos by Robert Lawson. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1939. Blinkers and Buzzers: Building and Experimenting with Electricity and Magnetism by Bernie Zubrowski. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1991. Simple Electrical Devices by Martin J. Gutnik. New York: Franklin Watts, 1986. Superconductivity: From Discovery to Breakthrough by Charlene W. Billings. New York: Dutton, 1991. Wires and Watts: Understanding and Using Electricity by Irwin Math. New York: Macmillan, 1981.