2. Electricity Electricity Unit 5 th Grade 2007-08 Williams

3. What is Electricity? Electricity is a form of energy created when sub-atomic particles called electrons flow from place to place.

4. An electric current refers to the electrons flowing from one place to another, normally within a form of electrical circuit. Lightning is really a very powerful and natural electric "spark" caused by thunderstorms. Electrical charges build up around thunderclouds until they can be released, either between clouds, or between clouds and the ground. When that happens, a sudden and quick electric current flows, resulting in a brilliant light flashing across the sky.

5. Static Electricity When electrons build up on an object, the object becomes charged with static electricity until the electrons are able to jump to another object placed nearby. The object that is charged with the static electricity could be a car, a ruler, or even a human body. Any object that can conduct electricity can become charged in this way. Static electricity causes a boy’s hair to stand on end Image from The Reasoner

6. Static Electricity Static An electric charge that collects or builds up on the surface of an object Examples –Shocking –Lightening

7. Static Electricity Charges Balloons that are negatively charged do not affect one another. If Two Balloons are Charged the Same – They will repel each other. If two balloons are charged the opposite – They will attract each other. Which group of balloons was charged the opposite of each other?

8. Static Electricity Positive and Negative Charges The first two balloons are charged the same so they repel each other. The second two balloons are charged opposite of each other and they attract. So, the answer is the two balloons that touched each other – they were attracted to one another!

9. Static Electricity + - + - + - + - + - Charged Alike Charged Opposite

10. Static Electricity + - + - + + - + - + - + - - - Positive Charge Negative Charge Something with a positive charge has more positive electrons than negative I’m Positive! An object with more negative electrons than positive I’m Negative!

11. What is Electricity? A form of energy made up of charges that can produce light, heat, or motion

12. Current Electricity What is a current? Current The flow of electric charges carried through a material such as wire or other conductors Examples Power lines Computers Appliances

13. Circuits What are they? Circuits are a path along which electricity moves

14. Kinds of Circuits OpenClosedParallel These circuits do not have a complete path to follow. The power cannot pass from the source to the receiver. These circuits have a complete path to follow. There are no openings in the path. These circuits have more than one path for electricity to flow through. Light when it is turned off Light when it is turned on *Your house *Power lines

15. Conductors and Insulators Conductors Any material that allows electric charges to move through it Examples: Metals (esp. copper) Your body Electric wires Insulators Materials that do not allow electric charges to flow freely through them Examples: Wood Glass Rubber Not that kind of conductor!

16. Bar Magnets and Electromagnets Electromagnets are magnets in the form of a bar With magnetic poles at each end. Bar Magnets are magnets in the form of a bar With magnetic poles at each end.