Introduction to Electricity by creating a light up quiz board
Summary
In this introductory physics activity, students will investigate the basic requirements for electricity. They will create a matching quiz board that will light up when the correct pair is selected. Students will write the six questions on the vocabulary of the electricity chapter from the text.
CollapseLearning Goals
- Students will be able to create a simple circuit.
- Students will be able to write 6 questions and answers for their quiz based on electricity vocabulary (ex. series circuit, parallel circuit, and resistance).
- Students will be able to describe how the apparatus works including the power supply and the light bulb.
- Students will be able to write 6 questions and answers for their quiz based on electricity vocabulary (ex. series circuit, parallel circuit, and resistance).
- Students will be able to describe how the apparatus works including the power supply and the light bulb.
Context for Use
This is an introductory, guided demonstration to electricity. Students should have read the electricity chapter before this activity is carried out in class. This activity can be completed by each student or in pairs. No more than groups of two students working together is recommended because students lose creativity when working in larger groups. Materials needed for each pair or single student is a textbook so they can reference vocab from reading
- Aluminum foil
- Wire
- Construction paper
- Light bulb wire apparatus
- Scissors
- Power supplies
- Markers and tape
This activity could also be used as review for the electricity chapter. The students would need to make more difficult questions and the teacher could assign different sections to each group to prevent overlap of information.
- Aluminum foil
- Wire
- Construction paper
- Light bulb wire apparatus
- Scissors
- Power supplies
- Markers and tape
This activity could also be used as review for the electricity chapter. The students would need to make more difficult questions and the teacher could assign different sections to each group to prevent overlap of information.
Description and Teaching Materials
Introduction:
- Write question on the board. How do we depend on Electricity?
o Lights
o Cars
o Heat
o Water
o Radio
Have different solutions and materials out on tables with light bulb, battery, wire apparatus so students can determine materials that conduct electricity.
Have students share around the room on which materials conduct electricity. Review the requirements for current (charges and the ability to flow). Make sure to have tap water and distilled water as an example. This helps to fix the common misconception that water conducts electricity.
Body:
- To get started show how to create quiz board.
- Name quiz card.
- Draw picture of how to create it on the board.
o Write six questions with six answers and scramble up the answers on the right side.
o Punch 6 holes on each part of card so that the holes line up.
o Turn over tape down aluminum with wire on top over the holes.
o Connect the question and the answers using the wire on the back of the card.
o Test your card. Then tape another piece of paper over the back.
o Trade with another group to take your quiz.
Conclusion:
- Why is electricity used so much?
o Clean
o Easy to use
- Technology is a huge use of electricity
o Energy star appliances on appliances and computers
o Chevy Volt (electric car, 230 mpg)
- Electricity in our homes
o Produced by hydro
o Coal
o Wind (controversy)
o 110 volts
o High voltage travels in transmission lines.
ß Create magnetic field around lines
ß Can actually hold up a neon light and the magnetic fields create electricity and light the light bulb.
- Tomorrow we are going to get into the theory of electricity, schematic drawings, and calculations.
- Exit ticket question: Describe how quiz board works including power supply, light bulb and simple circuits. Use vocabulary like electric field and current. Be specific on the movement of the charges (does an electron actually move all the way around the loop? Explain.) Drawing of quiz board setup (Microsoft Word 22kB Aug25 09)
- Write question on the board. How do we depend on Electricity?
o Lights
o Cars
o Heat
o Water
o Radio
Have different solutions and materials out on tables with light bulb, battery, wire apparatus so students can determine materials that conduct electricity.
Have students share around the room on which materials conduct electricity. Review the requirements for current (charges and the ability to flow). Make sure to have tap water and distilled water as an example. This helps to fix the common misconception that water conducts electricity.
Body:
- To get started show how to create quiz board.
- Name quiz card.
- Draw picture of how to create it on the board.
o Write six questions with six answers and scramble up the answers on the right side.
o Punch 6 holes on each part of card so that the holes line up.
o Turn over tape down aluminum with wire on top over the holes.
o Connect the question and the answers using the wire on the back of the card.
o Test your card. Then tape another piece of paper over the back.
o Trade with another group to take your quiz.
Conclusion:
- Why is electricity used so much?
o Clean
o Easy to use
- Technology is a huge use of electricity
o Energy star appliances on appliances and computers
o Chevy Volt (electric car, 230 mpg)
- Electricity in our homes
o Produced by hydro
o Coal
o Wind (controversy)
o 110 volts
o High voltage travels in transmission lines.
ß Create magnetic field around lines
ß Can actually hold up a neon light and the magnetic fields create electricity and light the light bulb.
- Tomorrow we are going to get into the theory of electricity, schematic drawings, and calculations.
- Exit ticket question: Describe how quiz board works including power supply, light bulb and simple circuits. Use vocabulary like electric field and current. Be specific on the movement of the charges (does an electron actually move all the way around the loop? Explain.) Drawing of quiz board setup (Microsoft Word 22kB Aug25 09)
Teaching Notes and Tips
Be very specific on how to setup the board. Many students will be confused on how to assemble the aluminum foil and wires. I have used this activity before but allowed students to pick the topic of their questions. I have never tied it to the reading before.
Assessment
The quiz boards will be collected and put into their portfolios. Also, the exit tickets will be collected before students leave the classroom. This will be used to determine misconceptions of electric field and understanding of the basic circuit.
Standards
9P.2.3.2.1
9P.2.3.2.2
Electrons respond to electric fields and voltages by moving through electrical circuits.
9P.2.3.2.2
Electrons respond to electric fields and voltages by moving through electrical circuits.