Chapter Graphic
 : Flowing Electricity
Loading Images
  Level: Year 4 and year 8
Approach: One to one
Focus: Exploring knowledge about the electrical conductivity of different materials, and skills in using a simple electrical circuit to check conductivity.
636k
Resources: Conductivity checker —circuit board, bulb, battery and leads; materials— spoon, key, iceblock stick, foil muffin dish, foil paper, plastic car, plastic ruler.

Questions / instructions:
Set up table with circuit board and other supplies.

In this activity you will be finding out what materials electricity can flow through.

     
% responses
y4
y8
1. Before we begin to test some of the materials I want to know what you think. Which of the materials on the table could electricity flow through? Predictions:
Tick the boxes to show what happened.
Lets electricity flow  through?
yes
no
maybe
spoon
a
 a
ruler
a
a
iceblock stick
a
a
plastic car
a
a
key
a
 a
foil muffin tin
a
 a
foil paper
a
 a
70
70
77
68
78
64

64
85
78
83
80
85
66

74

Before we test the objects let's check the circuit board and see if the bulb will work.
Check the circuit board with the student.

Now let's test the objects. Join an alligator clip to each end of the object. Make sure the alligator clips don't touch each other.

   
2. Test each object to find out if they let electricity flow through them. Tell me and I'll record your answer.
Fold open the recording book for the student to see. 		Measurements:
Tick the boxes to show what happened.
Lets electricity flow  through?
yes
no
spoon
a
ruler
a
iceblock stick
a
plastic car
a
key
a
foil muffin tin
a
foil paper
a
100
98
99
98
97
97

98
100
98
99
99
96
99

99
3. See if you can tell me the name of something else that electricity can flow through.
What is it made of?
identified a conductor
85
89
4. Now try to think of something that electricity can't flow through.
What is it made of?
identified a non-conductor
95
97
5. Electricity can travel through some things but not others. Try to tell me what is special about things that electricity can travel through.
used term "conductors" or "conducts"
2
13
suggested metals conduct
48
63
identified that in these materials electrons can move freely to carry electricity
0
2
Commentary:
Both year 4 and year 8 students were reasonably knowledgeable about the electrical conductivity of different materials. About eight percent more year 8 students answered correctly, on average. Almost all student tested materials successfully.
 
Loading Images