"It's Electric!"
(boogie-woogie-woogie)
I know you may find this "shocking," but many people don't know the first thing about the energy that powers almost all of our modern world. They know they can stick a plug in a wall, or recharge their cell phone battery, but they have no idea about where that energy comes from or how it works.
Consider that we're currently working to build our very own electronic Rover, we need to understand some electricity fundamentals:
I: Begin by checking out this basic StudyJams video on Electricty. As you watch, take notes in your notebook. Pay special attention to the summary to make sure you've written down all of the definitions for terms you'll need. (For example, what is electricity? Where does it come from? What's an electric current? How is an electrical current different from static electricity?) Take the 7-Question Quiz to test yourself for practice. (A real Quiz will be coming soon.)
II. Next read through this equally basic introduction to Electrical Current and Circuits. Once again, record notes for vocabulary terms (such as volt, amp, & watt) and take the 7-Question practice Quiz. (Keep in mind, a real quiz over very similar questions is coming soon! Make sure you understand the concepts before moving on!)
III. Ok, now that we have the basics under our belts, it's time to step it up a notch. Carefully watch this video from Bozeman Science that discusses not only the basics, but gives some examples of simple circuits. Sketch the circuits as instructed by the video - make sure you're using the symbols for batteries and resistors! - and by the end of it, you'll be examining a breadboard like the one we're using to build our Rover.
Notice that beneath the plastic cover of the breadboard, there are two "vertical" rails going up and down the length on either side. One is for the positive terminal of the battery and the other is for the negative. They are unconnected so long as you don't link them with a wire. Then, there are lots and lots of "horizontal" bars that are also unconnected, and divided in the middle (see the pictures below). These rails and bars are essentially just metal conductors that allow electric current to flow through anything they touch.
Consider that we're currently working to build our very own electronic Rover, we need to understand some electricity fundamentals:
I: Begin by checking out this basic StudyJams video on Electricty. As you watch, take notes in your notebook. Pay special attention to the summary to make sure you've written down all of the definitions for terms you'll need. (For example, what is electricity? Where does it come from? What's an electric current? How is an electrical current different from static electricity?) Take the 7-Question Quiz to test yourself for practice. (A real Quiz will be coming soon.)
II. Next read through this equally basic introduction to Electrical Current and Circuits. Once again, record notes for vocabulary terms (such as volt, amp, & watt) and take the 7-Question practice Quiz. (Keep in mind, a real quiz over very similar questions is coming soon! Make sure you understand the concepts before moving on!)
III. Ok, now that we have the basics under our belts, it's time to step it up a notch. Carefully watch this video from Bozeman Science that discusses not only the basics, but gives some examples of simple circuits. Sketch the circuits as instructed by the video - make sure you're using the symbols for batteries and resistors! - and by the end of it, you'll be examining a breadboard like the one we're using to build our Rover.
Notice that beneath the plastic cover of the breadboard, there are two "vertical" rails going up and down the length on either side. One is for the positive terminal of the battery and the other is for the negative. They are unconnected so long as you don't link them with a wire. Then, there are lots and lots of "horizontal" bars that are also unconnected, and divided in the middle (see the pictures below). These rails and bars are essentially just metal conductors that allow electric current to flow through anything they touch.
If you've finished this, then begin reading though the Physics4Kids Guide to Electricity. Read the...The Test Yourself with this Quiz