Day 1: Introduction to Electricity
Electricity is produced by the movement of electrons. Electricity can be fromed from other types of energy. The Law of Conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. Energy can only change from. Electricity can be converted from the following forms of energy:
Electrons are negatively charged peices of matter. Electrons can be found circling around the outside of the nucleus of an Atom. Protons and Neutron can be found inside the nucleus. Protons are positively charged while Neutrons have no charge, they are neutral.
The Law of Electric Charge states that objects charged with the same charge will repel each other (go away from)and object with opposite charges will attract each other (come together).
In other words:
*Likes Repel
Day 2: Static Electricity
Static Electricity is stationary electricity or the build up of electrons. As we discussed in the introduction, electrons are the only particle of an atom that jump to a new object. If you rub a balloon with a cloth, the electrons leave the cloth and move to the balloon. Thus leaving the balloon with a negative charge and the cloth with a positive charge.
An electroscope can detect electric charges. When a charged object is brought near the electroscope the leaves will seperate. The leaves seperate because of the Law of Electric Charge (likes repel). If an uncharged or neutral object is brought near the electroscope the leaves will not change their position.
Day 3: Conductors and Insulators
Conductors are object that will allow the flow of electrons to pass through easily. While insulators block or slow the flow of electrons.
Good conductors of electricity are usually metals, which are found on the left side of the periodic table. Isulators are usually non-metals which are found on the right side of the periodic table. (what is a periodic table?)
Day 4: Current Electricity
Current is the flow of electrons. Try to think of a current in the ocean or the sound, the water moves you slowly across the shore.
Circuit is the path electrons travel. The wires in your house provide a circuit or path for the electricity to get from room to room.
The battery is the power source provided to the circuit. Batteries make electricity by a chemical reaction. The elecrons flow from high potential (+) to low potential (-).
Amps are used to measure the current.
Volts are used to measure the force of the current. Voltage is the difference between high and low potential.
Ohms are used to measure resistance. Resistance slows the flow of a current.
Day 5: Symbols of a Circuit
Day 6: Series and Parallel
A Series Circuit is a SINGLE path. The electron have only one path in which to travel. If one light bulb goes out they all go out. The old christmas lights are wired in this fashion. The newer strings of lights are wired in parallel.
A Parallel Circuit is 2 or MORE paths. The electrons have two or more paths in which to travel. If one goes out the others stay lit.
Day 7: Power and Safety
Electrical Safety Packet.
Please study your packet.
Be able to read an electric usage meter.