Step 27 Lesson 2

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Partial Progress - Circles (browser only)

Electricity

Objectives

To understand that a circuit must be complete in order to work.

Resources

Circuit from Week 27 Lesson 1 | Paper clips | Coin | Paper | Range of mater

Today's Lesson

Main Activity

Following on from the last lesson, once your child understands that there needs to be a complete circuit in order for the bulb to light up, introduce an extra wire with crocodile clips and demonstrate how different objects can be used to complete the circuit.

Look at the resource How to use a circuit tester. Ask your child to investigate which materials can be used to complete the circuit, enabling the bulb to light up.

📄 READ - How to use a circuit tester📄 Download READ - How to use a circuit tester

Then ask your child to create two lists of materials: Conductors (that allowed the bulb to light up) and Insulators (non-conductors that do not allow a complete circuit.)

Encourage your child to discuss and report on the similarities between the properties of the conductors of electricity.

Note: They are all metals. Some materials let electricity pass through them easily. These materials are known as electrical conductors.

Many metals, such as copper, iron and steel, are good electrical conductors. That is why the parts of electrical objects that need to let electricity pass through are always made of metal.

Some materials do not allow electricity to pass through them. These materials are known as electrical insulators.

Plastic, wood, glass and rubber are good electrical insulators. That is why they are used to cover materials that carry electricity, so that there is less risk of electrocution.

Complete a table for your results - tick the correct box.

Resources