What Is Electricity?
This is what electricity helps us do every day.
power devices / make things work
Static makes hair stand. Why does current not do that?
Because current flows instead of staying in one place
Which is safer to hold: metal spoon or wooden spoon? Why?
Wood — insulator
Which circuit would make bulbs dimmer when more bulbs are added?
series
A bulb, wire, and battery are connected but the bulb is off. What is wrong?
open circuit
Electricity is a form of ______.
energy
If static electricity could move like current, what danger might happen?
Shocks, sparks, fires
Why is water dangerous around plugs?
Water conducts electricity
Why do holiday lights all go off together?
they are series
Which change will make a bulb brighter in a series circuit?
Remove a bulb / add battery
Give one example of something that needs electricity and one that does not.
amp/rock, TV/book, fan/penci
You touch a metal door after walking on carpet. Why do you feel a shock?
Static built up and suddenly moved
A wet plastic ruler is touched to a wire. What changes?
Water can conduct electricity
Why does your house use parallel, not series?
So one device breaking doesn’t turn off others
Two circuits use the same battery. One has 1 bulb, the other has 3 bulbs in series. Which is brighter and why?
1 bulb — more energy per bulb
Why can’t we see electricity moving in a wire?
Because it is too small / invisible energy
Why can static electricity not power a TV?
It does not flow continuously
Why are rubber gloves used by electricians?
it is an insulator
Which circuit uses more wires and why?
parallel
Why is a short circuit dangerous?
Too much electricity flows — heat and fire
Your flashlight works at home and in school. What does that tell you about electricity?
Electricity can travel through wires to power devices anywhere
Which is more dangerous: static or current? Explain why.
Current — it keeps flowing and can harm for longer
You must build a bridge with lights. Which materials must touch the wire and which must not?
Metal touches wire; plastic/wood must block it
You want a decoration where ALL lights go off when one breaks. Which circuit do you choose and why?
series one path
Design a safe house circuit and explain your choices.
Parallel, insulated wires, switch, battery/power source