physical world
 : Flowing Electricity
46k
Approach: Station Level: Year 4 & year 8
Resources: Battery and bulb board (continuity tester);
  1 each of aluminium, brass, plastic, wood, cardboard squares.

Questions / instructions:
In this activity you will be finding out some of the things electricity can travel through.

 
%
responses
y4
y8

1. Check that everything on the board is working by touching the 2 loose alligator clips together.

The bulb will go if everything is working.
• If the bulb does not go tell the teacher now.

.
.

2. Think first — but do not try it yet.
Electricity can travel through some things, but it can't travel through everything. Look at the objects. Which ones do you think electricity can travel through?
Write down what you think in the table.

Number of correct predictions: 5
4
3
2
1

35
19
10
12
10
61
21
5
4
3

I think electricity can travel through these objects

 

I think electricity can't travel
through these objects

.

.

.

   

3. Now try it. Now test the objects. Put each object on the board and join an alligator clip to each end. Tick the yes or the no box after you have tested each object.

Number of correct results 5

91
98
Object
Lets electricity travel through?
 
Yes
No
plastic    
wood    
grey metal    
cardboard    
yellow metal    


When toast gets stuck in the toaster some people try to get it out with a knife. It is not a good idea to poke around in toasters with anything.

4. What might happen if someone poked something made of the yellow metal in the toaster?

get electrocuted/ conduct electricity
other valid

42
33
87
8

5. What might happen if someone poked something made of the wood in the toaster?

not get electrocuted
fire
other valid

10
48
7
18
34
8


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