Electricity

Electricity is a form of energy. Understanding atoms is key to understanding how electricity works.

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Everything is made up of tiny particles called atoms. Atoms are made up of even smaller particles called protons, neutrons and electrons. The protons found in the atom have a positive charge and the electrons have a negative charge. Some of the electrons are free electrons and they are always on the move.

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Electricity happens when electrons move from one atom to another.

• The flow of electrons is called an electric current.
• Static electricity occurs when an object has electrons added to it or removed from it.

This collection is arranged in the following manner:

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• articles and links to build background knowledge
• images to start discussions
• activities
• content vocabulary and definitions

Big idea from Building Science Concepts Book 49 Magnetism and Static Electricity

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Big idea: Static and current electricity are related but different. They both involve the movement of electrons.

• Many types of materials can be rubbed to make static electricity.
• Static electricity can make lightweight things 'jump' and 'stick'.
• Static electricity does not need contact to apply a force.
• The space where a non-contact force exerts an influence its called its field. Fields are more concentrated where there is a stronger force.
• Current electricity is the flow of charges around a circuit. Static electricity is the build-up of charges into a stationary pattern.
• The flow of electrons through a conductor creates a magnetic field.

The following articles provide helpful background information about:

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• current and static electricity
• insulators and conductors

The Conversation Curious Kids: how does electricity work? article offers simple explanations and examples and is also useful for developing background information.

Using images to start a discussion.

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The science capability Gather and interpret data asks students to make observations (I see) and inferences (I think).

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What do you observe in each image?

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What inferences can you make from your observations?

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In the following activity, students draw a range of simple circuit diagrams, using specific symbols for electrical components. The symbols are used and understood worldwide.

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Ideal for visual literacy and for practicing the science capability Interpreting representations.

These activities involve making simple electrical circuits.

Consider creating a word wall with the following content vocabulary.