NATURAL SCIENCE 5th LEVEL

UNIT 7: ELECTRICITY AND INVENTIONS

1. Whats electricity?
Electricity is formed when a part of each atom, called an electron, moves from
one atom to another.
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Whats an atom made up of?

The nucleus is made up of
protons and neutrons. The
protons have a positive
electric charge.
The electrons revolve
around the nucleus, so they
are constantly moving. They
have a negative electric
charge.

Whats static electricity?

Static electricity is the movement of electrons
between two materials.
Electrons can move easily between materials
when we rub them together.
This creates static electricity.
Opposite charges attract each other.
Objects with the same electric charge are repelled

2. Whats electric current?

Electric current is the movement, or flow, of electrons between atoms.
Some types of matter have electrons that move easily from one atom to
another. We call these electrical conductor because electricity can flow easily
through them. Metals are an example of electrical conductors.

Electricity and magnetism.

When electric current flows through wires, a magnetic field is produced.
This happens because negatively charged electrons are moving through
the wire. We can make the magnetic field stronger by winding the wire
into a coil around an object made of iron. This forms an electromagnet.

3. Why do we need electric circuits?

An electric circuit is a close loop or circle. Electricity will only flow if the circuit is
close. If the circuit is broken or the switch is off, the current stops flowing.
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Types of circuits

SIMPLE CIRCUIT
The battery is
connected to the light
bulb, the light bulb to
the switch and the
switch to the battery.

SERIES CIRCUIT
Two or more light
bulbs are connected
to one batttery, but
all are connected
within the same
circuit.

PARALLEL CIRCUIT

A parallel circuit
forms two or more
cicles, one bigger
tan the other. Each
circuit has a light
bulb. All the circuits
are connected to the
same battery.

4. How do we use electricity?

Electricity is used in many ways in our homes, schools and workplaces.
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How does electricity get to our homes?

Electricity is generated in power stations. From the power station, the
electricity travels along big cables to our homes. At the place where
electricity enters our house, there is a fuse box.
How do we use electricity in our homes?
From the fuse box, the electricity travels through wire to all the light
switches and sockets in our home.

5. Who was Thomas Edison?

Thomas Edison was an American inventor. His most important inventions were
the electric light bulb, motion pictures and recorded music.