Remember…

Static electricity happens when there is a build up of charges on the surface of an object. (Static means “not moving”

Lightning

http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.lightning/lightning/• Describe Benjamin Franklin's experiment. What did

it teach us about lightning? • What causes lightning? • Have you ever seen lightning? In which direction did

you think it was traveling? What did you learn from the video about the direction in which lightning travels?

• Electrical charge builds up in a cloud before we see lightning. Can you think of an example from your everyday life where an electric charge builds up in much the same way?

Current Electricity

Current electricity is when charges move through an object.

Static or Current

Shock from walking on a carpet

Power lines in a house

Flashlight

Solar Calculator

Lightning

Light Switch

Static or Current

Shock from walking on a carpet Static

Power lines in a house Current

Flashlight Current

Solar Calculator Current

Lightning Static

Light Switch Current

Conductors and InsulatorsElectricity cannot flow through all types of materials. Some materials block the path of electricity.

Conductor – any material that electricity can flow through easily. Ex: metals, water, people

Insulator – any material that electricity cannot flow through. Ex: rubber, plastic, glass, wood

Electrical cords on devices are covered in plastic. The metal wire inside is often made of copper, which is an excellent conductor.Electricity flows through the wire, but not through the plastic, so that you can touch the cord.This is why electricians wear thick rubber gloves.

Interesting…A finger can operate a touch screen. A tiny amount of electric charge in the touch screen moves into the finger. This tells the device where the finger is pointing. What happens when you wear gloves?