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Electricity:

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Current Electricity:

Electron:

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Proton:

Attraction:

Repulsion:

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Conductor:

Insulator:

Load:

Switch:

Series Circuit:

Parallel Circuit:

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Non-renewable:

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BEGXfflfXKGSPress a button and the television comes on. Flick a switch and the room lights up. Turn a dial and the microwave heats up your lunch. All of these things use electricity. The energy of electricity flows through our lives in numerous ways—but what is it?

What Is Electricity?Electricity is a form of energy that is caused by the movements of some of the tiny particles that make up atoms. Atoms are incredibly tiny units of matter. The biggest is just half a

billionth of a inch across. They make upeverything and everyone around us, including yourself. Each atom is made up of a number of even smaller particles. Normally, there are a number of particles called protons at its center or nucleus. Protons have a positive electric charge. Around the outside of the atom is a cloud of electrons. Electrons have a negative electric charge. In an atom, the positive and negative charges cancel each other out, so the whole atom is neutral. It has no charge at all.

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devices you may see around the

Electricity is everywhere! We use e le c tr ic ity on a daily basis.Actually, we use electricity almost every minute! We have become so reliant on e lec tric ity as a society th a t i t would be n e a r l y impossible to function without it. I f you look around the room right now you can probably name at least five things that function on electricity. But what is electricity? Where does it come from? And how does electricity power the electronics that we love to use? These are questions that will be answered if you read on.

What is Electricity?

So what is electricity? That is a question that cannot be answered easily; however, the most basic definition is that electricity is a form of energy! Electrical energy comes from small particles called atoms. Atoms make up all of matter. Anything that you can see and touch is matter and is made up of atoms.

Each atom has smaller particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. The centre of an atom is called the nucleus. Protons and neutrons are located inside the atom's nucleus. Electrons orbit around the nucleus of the atom at high speeds. Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have no charge and electrons have a negative charge. Atoms that are balanced have an equal amount of positive and negative charges, which means that they have an equal amount of protons and electrons. A t times, atoms can gain or lose electrons by contacting other atoms. I f an atom gains electrons, it acquires a negative charge because the electrons outnumber the protons. I f an atom loses electrons, the protons outnumber the electrons, so the atom has a positive charge.

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So what do atoms have to do with electricity?

When atoms are imbalanced and become charged they have a tendency to want to become balanced again. Atoms that have too many electrons

I will want to get rid of them and atoms that have too few electrons will want to receive them. When one atom transfers electrons to another atom the flow of electrons Is what creates electricity!

The difference between the overall charge of each

atom will create an attraction that causes the electrons to s ta rt flowing from the atom with more

electrons to the atom with

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uj/ Electricity Worksheet1. What is electricity?

2. What is an atom and what are the names of its components?

3. Explain the connection between atoms and electricity.

4. Draw a picture of an atom and label its parts. —

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Electricity Answers1. What is electricity?Electricity is everywhere. Electricity is a form of energy and it comes from small particles called atoms.

2. What is an atom and what are the names of its components?An atom is the smallest part of matter. M atter is everything that you can see and touch around you. Living things and non-living things are matter.

1 3. Explain the connection between atoms and electricity.When atoms are imbalanced and become charged, they have a tendency to want to become balanced again. Atoms that have too many electrons will want to get rid of them and atoms that have too few electrons will want to receive them. When one atom transfers electrons to another atom, the flow of electrons is what creates electricity.

4. Draw a picture of an atom and label its parts.

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i Types of ElectricityThere are two types of electricity: static and current.

Static Electricity

Static electricity is caused by a buildup of negative charges in one place and positive charges in another. When the attraction between the positive and negative charges becomes strong enough, the particles quickly stream back together.

The most extreme example of static electricity is lightning. Inside of a storm cloud strong winds cause icy particles to collide violently. These collisions strip away many of the particles' outer electrons, leaving the cloud full of positive ions and free electrons. The positive ions move to the top of the cloud. The electrons, which have a negative charge, collect at the base of the cloud. When the collections of positive and negative charges get large enough, they rapidly flow back together. As they do, the energy of their motion heats the surrounding air and creates a lightning flash.

I f the ground has a strong opposite charge as the clouds, the flash of lightning will travel along water molecules in the air and touch the ground. These are the lightning bolts that we see commonly during storms.

Static electricity is also common in everyday life. We often build up negative charges by rubbing our fee t along the ground or brushing our bodies up against objects. When this happens we are creating an opportunity fo r those extra electrons to jump to a molecule that is positively charged. When we touch an object that is positively charged we often feel a shock (and sometimes see a flash of light) because t extra electrons are attracted to the positively charged object/ molecule.

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The most common static electricity experiment involves rubbing a ' balloon on your head fo r several seconds and then sticking it on the

wall. When one rubs a balloon through their hair they are transferring electrons to the balloon leaving it negatively charged. Once the balloon is placed near the wall the balloon is attracted to the positively charged wall, which causes it to stick.

Current Electricity

Current electricity is the type of electricity that we are most accustomed to. When we turn on a light switch, we are using current electricity. When

i we turn on our computer, we are using current electricity. When we use a flashlight, we are using current electricity. Any time we use electricity that has been generated from a power plant, we are using current electricity. Current electricity is when electrons move along a line (usually a wire) or conductor fo r the purpose of powering a device.

The word current implies that there is a constant flow of electricity; and there is! I f we leave the light on in a room, the light would remain powered until the source of electricity runs dry or the light bulb burns out (the latter is more likely to happen). The electricity is constantly flowing from the sourcz of energy, to transformer stations and along power lines to our homes. Electrons are traveling in a steady stream within these circuits.

) Battery powered electronics are also examples of current electricity, I As mentioned earlier, a flashlight is an example of current electricity, he source of energy in this case is a battery. Copper wire is used to

transport electrons from the source to the other object, which is a light bulb. Once the electrons flow through the light bulb’s filament they continue towards the positive end of the battery in a circuit.

The flow is considered a direct current or DC power because the electricity is traveling in one direction - from the negative end of the

, battery toward the positive end of the battery. Most portable devices that function on battery power use direct current.

Electricity that comes from sources other than a battery, such as from wall sockets, is considered alternating current or AC. This type of current flows back and fo rth , reversing directions each time. Charges (electrons) must always be flowing to have a current. However, the flow of charges does not always have to be in one direction. In alternating current, the charges move in one direction fo r a very short time and then they reverse direction. This happens over and over again. The light bulbs in our homes function at 60 Hz which means that the direction of the charges changes 60 times per second!

In an AC circuit, the electrons move back and fo rth switching directions at a very

fas t pace.

In a DC circuit, the electrons travel in one

direction from the negative terminal to

the positive terminal.

V Types of ElectricityWorksheet

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1. What is static electricity?

2. What is the most extreme example of static electricity in nature?

3. In what circumstance will a flash of lightning travel through the sky and touch the ground?

3. 6ive some other examples of static electricity.

4. What is current electricity?

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6. Give some examples of current electricity.

7. What is the difference between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC)?

8. How come static electricity is not an effective source of energy fo r us?

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Types of ElectricityAnswers

1. What is static electricity?Static electricity is caused by the build up of negative charges in one place and positive charges in another. When the attraction between the positive and negative charges becomes strong enough, the particles quickly stream back together.

2. What is the most extreme example of static electricity in nature? Lightning

3. In what circumstance will a flash of lightning travel through the sky and touch the ground?I f the ground has a strong, opposite charge as the clouds, the flash of lightning will travel along water molecules in the air and touch the ground. These are the lightning bolts that we see commonly during storms.

3. Give some other examples of static electricity.-rubbing a balloon on your head and sticking it to the wall -touching a door knob and feeling an electric shock -getting an electric shock upon entering your car

4. What is current electricity?Current electricity is when electrons move along a line (usually a wire) or conductor fo r the purpose of powering a device. |

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t 6. Give some examples of current electricity.Toaster Computer Electric Guitar

flashlight Stove Lampi Microwave Stereo Television

7. What is the difference between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC)?A direct current (DC) is when electrons travel in one direction from the source of electricity to the device it is powering and back to the source. An alternating current (AC) has electrons tha t travel back and fo rth very quickly creating a constant flow of electricity.

8. Draw a picture showing the difference between DC and AC.

The Flying Bag Experiment

Materials:• One balloon• A plastic produce bag• A cotton towel

Experiment

1. Use a pair of scissors to cut a strip from the open end of the produce bag, about 2 fingers wide. Once the strip is cut, you should have a plastic band or ring.

2. Blow up a balloon to its full size and tie off the end.3. Rub the cotton towel over the surface of the balloon for 30-45 seconds.4. Flatten the plastic band on a hard surface and gently rub the towel on the band for 30-45

seconds.5. Hold the plastic band about one foot over the balloon and release it.

What happens?____________________________________________________________

Now, repeat the experiment, following these steps:1. Use a pair of scissors to cut a strip from the open end of the produce bag, about 2 fingers

wide. Once the strip is cut, you should have a plastic band or ring.2. Blow up a balloon to its full size and tie off the end.3. Rub the cotton towel over the surface of the balloon for 30-45 seconds.4. One partner: Flatten the plastic band on a hard surface and gently rub the towel on the

band for 30-45 seconds.The other partner: Keep your hand flat on top of the balloon while your partner deals with the plastic bag.

5. Hold the plastic band about one foot over the balloon and release it.

What happens? Did you get the same result as last time? Why or why not?

Take It Further! —> What other classroom objects can you use to levitate the plastic band?

Conductors and Insulators,i In order fo r electricity to be useful it must be able to travel from one j place to another. Some materials allow electricity to pass through - these

are called conductors. Some materials do not allow electricity to pass through - these are called insulators.

The most common types of conductors are materials that are made from metal. Metal is a great conductor! Copper, fo r example, is used fo r wiring in electrical circuits. This is no accident. Copper is used because it allows electricity to flow through it at a high speed. Water is also a great

i conductor. For this reason, it can be dangerous to use electrical devices around water.

Insulators on the other hand slow down or completely stop the flow of electricity. Materials such as rubber, glass, cotton, plastic and wood are all great examples of insulators.

There are times when we need conductors of electricity and times when we need insulators. I t is important to know the difference

between the two in order to keep yourself safe. For example, as mentioned earlier, copper is used in wires to help pass the electricai signal along a circuit. However, the outer part of the wire is made from a common insulator - plastic! Why do you think the outer part of a wire is made from an insulator?

Well...just think what might happen if wires were not coated with an insulating material. The electricity that would be running along the copper wire would be open and free to jump to any other material, object, or thing.

, I f that happened to be a person's hand, the amount of energy f lowing along that circuit could be enough to seriously injure the person. Therefore, wires are insulated, which allows us to touch them even if electricity is flowing inside. I f this was not the case then every time we touched a wire that was “ live" or transmitting electricity we would get hurt.

Conductors and InsulatorsAnswers

1. What is a conductor?A conductor is a material that allows electricity to pass through easily.

2. What is an insulator?An insulator is a material that does not allow electricity to pass through easily or at all.

3. Give some examples of good conductors.Any thing made of metal: copper, iron, steel, aluminum, gold, silver, etc... Water is also a very good conductor.

4. Give some examples of good insulators. Rubber, wood, plastic, cotton, and glass

5. Explain how conductors and insulators work together to help us use electricity and keep us safe.A wire is made of copper on the inside and plastic on the outside. The copper is the conductor and allows electricity to pass through easily. The plastic coating keeps us safe by insulating the copper wire and keeping the electric signal contained within the line. So conductors and insulators work together to help us use electricity and keep us safe at the same time.

6. Circle the items below that could be inserted into a circuit to allow

^ Electrical CircuitsI Components of a Simple Circuit

iAll circuits must have some basic components in order to function properly. Those components are: a power source, a conductor that carries electrical current and some sort of load, which is a device that requires electrical energy to function. There are two ways to connect the components of a circuit: using a series system or a parallel system.

Series Circuit

A series circuit is when the path of electricity has only one possible way of passing through the circuit. There are no alternate routes. In a simple circuit with a battery, three light bulbs, and wire, the electricity would have to begin at the power source (in this case a battery), then through each individual light bulb and back to the power source. I t would look likethe picture below:

In a series circuit, electricity only has one path that it can follow.

Electrons flow from the negative to the positive terminal of the battery.

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I f one light bulb goes out, the others

. are also affected.

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Parallel Circuit

A parallel circuit is when the path of electricity has more than one j possible way of passing through the circuit. There are various alternate ! routes. A parallel circuit that has the same components as the series

circuit above would look like the picture below:

The main difference between the two circuits is that in the parallel circuit the electricity from the power source can flow to each individual light bulb on a separate path. This means that if one light bulb burned out the others could still function normally. This would not be the case in a series

i circuit.

In a parallel circuit, electricity

has many paths that it can follow.

Homes are set up in parallel circuits so that if one load is damaged or not

working, the others are not

affected.

Each light bulb is essentially on its own separate circuit with

the power source.

I f one light bulb goes out, the others can still be powered

by the battery.

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^ Electrical CircuitsAnswers

i11. What is the difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit? The difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit is that a series circuit only has one path that electricity can travel along. This means that if one load in the circuit fails, the other consecutive loads will also fail. In a parallel circuit, each load has a separate path that is connected with the power source. This means that if one load fails, the others will not be affected.

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2. Draw a series circuit and then a parallel circuit that has one power source and three light bulbs. Comment on the differences between each

I system.

Series Circuit Parallel Circuit

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