Vocab
An electric charge in motion
Electric current
Compare charged matter and uncharged matter.
Charged matter does not have balanced positive and negative charges (like static electricity), but uncharged matter does.
Give two example of energy sources in a circuit.
1. Battery
2. Electrical outlet
When electrical energy changes to light energy, it gives off ______.
Heat
Name three different types of energy.
Electrical, kinetic, sound, light
A material through which an electric charge can move easily
Conductor
Why is plastic coating used on household cords and plugs?
The plastic coating acts as an insulator so that the current doesn't flow out of the wire underneath.
Christmas lights are an example of a _______circuit.
Parallel
Name an object that transforms electrical energy to sound energy
Radio (accept all valid responses)
Five lightbulbs are wired on one circuit. Two bulbs are lit and three are not, which type of circuit is it?
Parallel circuit
A material through which an electric charge moves slowly
Insulator
Give 3 examples of good conductors
Metal items (aluminum, copper, gold, silver, etc.)
How does a switch affect the flow of an electric current in a circuit?
If the switch is turned off, the circuit is open and the current stops flowing. If the circuit is closed, the electric current flows through it.
Give an example of an item that transforms electrical energy into motion energy
Washing machine (accept all valid responses)
Name three items in your house that transform electrical energy into another form of energy.
Toaster
Light
Electrical stove burner
Television
A thin, coiled wire that can get very hot without melting
Filament
Give 3 examples of insulators
Rubber, plastic, paper, glass, wood
What is the difference between a closet circuit and an open circuit?
A closed circuit has no breaks and an open circuit does.
How does a filament in an incandescent light bulb transform energy?
It is a resistor that gets very hot and gives off light when electrical energy flows through it.
______ transforms the energy of motion into heat.
Friction
A circuit in which electrical charge can only flow in one circular path is a called a ___________ circuit, while a circuit that has two or more paths through which electrical charges may flow is called a __________ circuit.
1. series
2. parallel
2. Machines
What are the four parts of an electrical circuit? Describe the function of each part.
1. Energy source - provides energy to move electric charges
2. Wires - electric charges flow through
3. Resistor - transform energy into other forms of energy
4. Switch - opens / closes the circuit
What is necessary for electricity to be transformed?
A resistor
Give three reasons why a properly wired series circuit might not work. How would you try to fix it?
1. Burnt out light bulb
2. Dead battery
3. Metal part of wire covered by insulator
Test a different light bulb / battery or strip more of the plastic coating off the wire.