 -
|
|
- The
Topic:
- Electricity
|
If you are searching for biographies of
scientists or inventors who worked with electricity,
you may want to go to our companion webpage:
Scientists
/ Inventors in Electricity. There
you will find an alphabetized index to biographies of
select people.
-
- Easier -
Electricity is a form of energy produced by the
movement of electrons. Electricity is electrical
power or an electric current. This form of energy
can be sent through wires in a flow of tiny
particles. It is used to produce light and heat and
to run motors.
-
- Harder -
Electricity is a basic feature of all matter, of
everything in the universe. Electrical force holds
atoms and molecules together. Electricity
determines the structure of every object that
exists. Together with magnetism, it causes a force
called electromagnetism, a fundamental force of the
universe.
-
- Electricity or electrical signals are essential
to many biological processes. In our bodies,
electrical signals are carried through the nervous
system, moving information to and from the brain.
Electrical signals communicate to our brain what
the eyes see, what the ears hear, and what the
fingers feel. Electrical signals from our brain
causes our muscle movements. Electrical signals
cause each heartbeat.
-
- One of the most important forms of electricity
is in electrical current. During the industrial
revolution of the 1800s, people began to find ways
to use electricity to do work. Today electricity is
used throughout our homes, at work, in
communication, in transportation, and in medicine
and science. Electrically powered devices are
prevalent. Relatively cheap electricity has made
electrical appliances, machines, and other devices
possible.
-
- Electricity
at Brain Pop
- http://www.brainpop.com/science/electricity/electricity/index.weml
- Learn about electricity on this fun site by
watching a movie, taking a quiz, trying out an
experiment, and lots more!
- Similar Websites for Kids:
- 2) Electric Universe from CIPCO
http://cipco.electricuniverse.com/
- 3) Power Biz 101 from Southern
Company
- http://www.southernco.com/learningpower/powerbiz.asp?mnuOpco=&mnuType=sub&menuItem=
-
- Electricity
and Magnetism at IPPEX
Interactive
- http://ippex.pppl.gov/ippex/module_4/
- Here you learn the basic concepts behind these
two topics. This site has a great online
instruction module; requires download of Shockwave
plugin (Software link provided at site).
- Related Websites:
- 2) AC/DC: What's the Difference? from
PBS
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/edison/sfeature/acdc.html
- 3) Electricity and Magnetism! from
Interactive Plasma Physics Education
Experience http://ippex.pppl.gov/interactive/electricity/
(Requires Shockwave)
- 4) Electricity Transmission System (Chapter 11)
from The Energy Story
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/story/story-html/chapter11.html
- 5) Generators, Turbines and Power Plants
(Chapter 3) from The Energy Story
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/story/story-html/chapter03.html
- 6) Introduction To Electricity by C. Buckley,
North Wales, UK
- http://www.newi.ac.uk/buckleyc/electric.htm
- 7) Introduction to Electricity by J.T.
Blair
- http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/art016.html
- 8) Understanding Electricity - An Analogy with
Water from 4QD-TEC
- http://www.4qdtec.com/water.html
- 9) What is Electricity? (Chapter 2) from the
The Energy Story
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/story/story-html/chapter02.html
- 10) What's Electricity from Jake's
Attic
- http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/jakesattic/lab/electricity.html
- 11) Where Does Electricity Come From? from
Environmental Defense
- http://www.environmentaldefense.org/programs/Energy/green_power/d_sources.html
-
- How
Power Distribution Grids Work by M. Brain
at How Stuff Works
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/power.htm
- Power travels from the power plant to your
house through an amazing system called the power
distribution grid.
- Other Related Electrical Articles from How
Stuff Works:
- 2) How Batteries Work? by M. Brain http://www.howstuffworks.com/battery.htm
- 3) How California's Power Crisis Works by K.
Bonsor
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/california-power.htm
- 4) How Does A Halogen Light Bulb Work?
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/question151.htm
- 5) How Electric Motors Work? by M. Brain
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/motor.htm
- 6) How Emergency Power Systems Work by M.
Brain
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/emergency-power.htm
- 7) How Hydropower Plants Work by K. Bonsor
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/hydropower-plant.htm
- 8) How Lightning Works? by J. Zavisa http://www.howstuffworks.com/lightning.htm
- 9) How Many Solar Cells Would I Need in Order
to Provide All of the Electricity . .? http://www.howstuffworks.com/question418.htm
- 10) How Much Coal Is Required To Run A 100-Watt
Light Bulb . . . ?
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/question481.htm
- 11) How Nuclear Power Works by M. Brain
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm
- 12) How Semiconductors Work by M. Brain
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/diode.htm
- 13) How Solar Cells Work by S. Aldous
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm
- 14) How Wires, Fuses and Connectors Work?
(Automotive Perspective) by K. Nice
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/wfc.htm
- 15) What Are Amps, Watts, Volts, and Ohms?
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/question501.htm
- 16) Why Is It that Some Appliances Have A
3-Prong Outlet While Others . . . ? http://www.howstuffworks.com/question110.htm
-
- What
Is Static Electricity? at Science Made
Easy
- http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/static.html
- Here is an easy to read description of the
phenomenon, plus fun projects you can do at
home.
- Related Websites:
- 2) Finding Static Electricity by R.Kurtus (6
Online Lessons)
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static.htm
- 3) 'Static Electricity' Page
(Links-site)
- http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/emotor/statelec.html
- 4) What Is Static Electricity/Electrostatic
Discharge? http://wwwp.exis.net/~bower/static/aboutstatic.html
- 5) Uses of Static Electricity by R.
Kurtus
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/staticuse.htm
-
 -
- Website By Kids For Kids
- Electricity
(2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/J001647F/
- Here you learn about electrical power plants,
how to make a battery, and about the lives of
people who experimented with electricity.
-
- Electricity
and Its Effects (1996 ThinkQuest
Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/2763/
- This site is designed to inform you about the
ways in which we create and use electricity, and to
supply information on electricity itself.
-
- Electricity
and Magnetism from Fizzics Fizzle
(Grades 6-8,1998 ThinkQuest Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/16600/intermediate/electricity.shtml
- Believe it or not, electricity and magnetism
are related very closely. This site describes what
electric charge and electricity are and how
magnetic fields arise through the movement of
electric charge. Also, did you know that light is
created by electromagnetic waves? Click on the
Next button to begin.
-
- Electricity
for All (1999 ThinkQuest Junior
Project)
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/6075/
- Here you learn about how a specific type of
energy gets turned into electrical energy for use
by you, your family and friends.
-
- Electricity
Online (Grade 9-12, 1999 ThinkQuest
Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/28032/
- Learn all about electricity, its applications,
and its history. This awesome site features cool
experiments, activities, and a historical timeline.
-
- Electricity
with the Sparks Scientists (2001
ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112709/
- The website teaches about electricity including
the sources of electricity, the California crisis,
the suppliers and sellers, and electrical safety.
It also has the inventors and their inventions that
had to do with electricity, what is it, and ways to
save electricity.
-
- Electromania
(1999 ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5514/
- This website explains how electricity works and
what it is used for, plus who discovered and
experimented with it.
-
- Electronic
Components (1999 ThinkQuest Junior
Project)
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5189/
- After visiting this site, you should recognize
electronic components and symbols, know what
different electronic components do, have a basic
understanding of volts, current, and resistance,
and be aware of the proper safety precautions when
working with electricity.
-
- Electronics:
An Online Guide for Beginners (1998
ThinkQuest Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/16497/
- This site teaches the basics, starting with how
electrons in the atom make electricity. It is a
step-by-step guide to electronics with practical
activities where you can learn about current,
voltage, and resistance.
-
- Light
Up Your Life With Electricity (1999
ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5516/
- The project includes a history of electricity,
how it is used to make our lives better, and plans
for creating your own flashlight.
-
- Magnificent
World of Electricity (2000 ThinkQuest
Junior Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/J002796/
- This site is all about electricity, how we use
it, different kinds of circuits, how electricity
can be dangerous, and some information on
lightning.
-
- Shocking
Electricity (1999 ThinkQuest Junior
Project)
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5217/
- Here you can learn how electricity is produced.
The site also includes safety tips,activities, and
pictures of a power plant.
-
- Shocking
Truth About Electricity (1999 ThinkQuest
Junior Project)
- http://tqjunior.advanced.org/6064/main.html
- Have you ever wondered how much we depend on
electricity? Where does electricity come from? What
are those volts, amps and watts anyway?
-
- Super
Conductivity (1998 ThinkQuest
Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/20872/
- This website introduces you to the history of
superconductivity, a highly efficient use of
electricity, and its theories and uses.
-
- Lots More Electrifying Sites
- Brief
History of Electricity
- http://www.the-education-site.com/electric/history.htm
- Electricity has been around as long as the
Earth itself. Electrical storms played a
significant part in the creation of life on this
planet but the difference it has made to our lives
today has a much shorter history.
-
- Electricity
and Magnetism
- http://theory.uwinnipeg.ca/mod_tech/node83.html
- Created for College-level course, this online
chapter discusses basic theory and phenomena
associated with electricity and magnetism.
- Similar Website:
- 2) Introduction To Electricity by C.
Buckley
- http://www.newi.ac.uk/buckleyc/electric.htm
-
- Electrification
- http://www.greatachievements.org/greatachievements/ga_1_1.html
- Here you can learn how power came to our
cities, factories, and homes. The website includes
a timeline.
-
- Electronics
Circuits Reference Archive
- http://www.4qdtec.com/index.html
- Calling itself the 'Electronics Club,' this
site has a wealth of information and resources.
-
- Energy
Savers: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at
Home at U.S. Dept. of Energy
- http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/
- By using a few inexpensive energy-efficient
measures, most homeowners can reduce their energy
bills by 10% to 50% and, at the same time, help
reduce air pollution.
- Related Websites:
- 2) Close the door!
- http://cipco.electricuniverse.com/html/eu/education/louie/life/conserv/con1.html
- 3) Consumer Tips For Kids
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/kidstips/index.html
- 4) Draft-O-Meter
- http://cipco.electricuniverse.com/html/eu/education/louie/life/conserv/con2.html
- 5) Home Energy Survey from Irish Energy
Centre
- http://www.irish-energy.ie/HomeEnergySurvey/html/survey.html
- 6) Power Bandit
- http://cipco.electricuniverse.com/html/eu/education/louie/life/conserv/bandit10.html
- 7) Saving Energy (Energy Conservation)
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/savingenergy.html
- 8) Saving Energy and Energy Conservation
(Chapter 15) from The Energy Story
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/story/story-html/chapter15.html
- 9) Wasting Energy (Printable Worksheet)
- http://www.irish-energy.ie/Smart_E/activities/worksheets/waste.htm
- 10) Why Are My Power Bills So High? What
Appliances Use the Most Power?
- from How Stuff Works http://www.howstuffworks.com/question272.htm
-
- Finding
Static Electricity by R.Kurtus (6 Online
Lessons)
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static.htm
- Have you ever experienced static electricity?
Most people have felt sparks or have seen objects
cling together because of static electricity. You
may have some questions, such as how can you detect
static electricity, how can you make or create
static electricity, or can static electricity
dangerous be to you?
- Other Related Lessons from R.
Kurtus:
- 2) Direct Current (DC) Electricity
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/dc.htm
- 3) DC Circuits http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/dccircuits.htm
- 4) Electromagnetism
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/electromagnetism.htm
- 5) Alternating Current (AC) Electricity
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/ac.htm
- 6) Alternating Current (AC) Home Wiring
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/acwiring.htm
- 7) AC Transformers
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/actransformers.htm
- 8) Electric Power http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/electpower.htm
-
- Lessons
In Electric Circuits by By T.R.
Kuphaldt
- http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/electricCircuits/
- Here is a free series of online texts on the
subjects of electricity and electronics.
- Related Websites:
- 2) DC Circuits and Components: Capacitors,
Resistors, Batteries & Wires. Oh, My!
- http://www.physics.gatech.edu/academics/Classes/2k_summer/2212/a/circuits.html
- 3) Electricity and Electronics: Teaching and
Learning Resources
- http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/trinity/elec2.html
- 4) Troubleshooting: Electrical Circuits
(Automotive Perspective) from Delmar
- Publishers http://www.autoweb.lycos.com/garage/subsys/bacircui.htm
-
- Mortal
Kontact from San Diego Gas &
Electric
- http://www.sdge.com/sdge.cgi?template=Arcade/er_f3.html&frame1=er_c1.html&fra
- me2=er_h1.html&frame3=er_1.html&change=yes
- Electricity is a very powerful and helpful
tool, but like any form of energy you must treat it
with respect. Here are some simple rules you should
follow with electricity.
- Related Websites:
- 2) Being Safe Around Electricity from
Tri-County Electric Cooperative,
Rushford,
- MN http://www.tec-rec.com/kids/safety.html
- 3) Frankenstein's Lightning Laboratory:
Electrical Safety from Miami Museum of
- Science and Space http://www.miamisci.org/af/sln/frankenstein/
- 4) Kids' Lightning Information and Safety
- http://www.azstarnet.com/~anubis/zaphome.htm
- 5) Electrical Safety Library http://hazard.com/library/Electricity/
- 6) Lightning Safety Quiz http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/safety.html
- 7) Rules for Electrical Safety http://www.cp-ws.com/ElecSafetyRules.htm
- 8) Safety with Electricity from Western
Power
- http://www.wpcorp.com.au/education_training/world_of_energy/kids_area/safety_ele
- ctricity.html
-
- Renewable
Power from Western Power,
Australia
- http://www.wpcorp.com.au/our_environment/renewable_energy/start_page/index.html
- Learn about this power company's focus on
renewable energy from wind, bioenergy and to a
lesser extent, solar technologies.
- Related Websites:
- 2) California's Renewable Road http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/renewableroad/index.html
- 3) Solar Electricity http://www.soton.ac.uk/~solar/intro/start.htm
- 4) Waterpower from Encarta http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=04EE7000
-
- Science:
Electricity
- http://www.english.upenn.edu/~jlynch/Frank/Contexts/electric.html
- This website provides a historical perspective
of electrical experiments and discovery.
-
- Theater
of Electricity from Museum of Science,
Boston
- http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/toe.html
- Visit the online home of the world's largest
air-insulated Van de Graaff generator. Learn about
sparks, electricity, Tesla cells, lightning, and
more.
- Related Websites:
- 2) How Van de Graaff Generators Work by J.M.
Zavisa from How Stuff Works
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/vdg.htm
- 3) Van de Graaff Electrostatic Generator
Page
- http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/emotor/vdg.html
-
- Websites for Teachers
- Activities
to Explore Static Electricity at Boston
Museum of Science
- http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/staticmenu.html
- Here you find background information and
activities for teaching about static
electricity.
- Related Websites:
- 2) Electricity and Tennis Balls http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/tennisballs.html
- 3) Static Electricity - A Hair Raising
Phenomenon (Grades K-6) from Franklin
- Institute http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/activity/energy/ener-2.html
-
- Brown
Bag Science (Grades 1-5) by J. Adair
- http://explorer.scrtec.org/explorer/explorer-db/rsrc/783750561-447DED81.1.htm
- The purpose of this investigation is to
introduce students to the concept of electricity
and dispel any fears they may have that they don't
understand the concept.
-
- Conductor
or Not (Grades 4-5)
- http://www.minnetonka.k12.mn.us/science/lessons45/conductor.html
- In this activity, students identify conductors
and nonconductors of electricity.
-
- Electrical
Appliances (Grades K-3) by M. Schaefer
- http://www.amphi.com/~tlcf/schaefer/web1/elec.html
- A technology timeline is used by students to
explore how electrical appliances have changed
during each decade of this century. Lesson includes
printable worksheets.
-
- Electricity
(Grades 5-7) by J. Levey
- http://www.iit.edu/~smile/ph9406.html
- This activity has students creating a number of
electrical circuits.
-
- Electricity
and Magnetism Lesson Plans from
Teach-nology
- http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/science/physics/electricity/
- This lesson collection contains 32 different
plans.
-
- It's
Positively Shocking (Grade 1) by L. Haskell
& J. Catlett
- http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/1_97_ItsPositivelyShock.pdf
- In these lessons, demonstrations and hands-on
experiments involve static and current electricity
through simple circuits, insulators and conductors
(In Adobe Acrobat pdf format).
-
- Live
Wires Turned On To Electricity by D. Brock
& L. Faulkenberg (Grade 4)
- http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/42K_Live_Wires.pdf
- This site contains a nine-lesson unit with
hands-on activities and background information for
the study of static and current electricity,
conductors, insulators, and electromagnets (In
Adobe Acobat pdf format).
-
- Magnetic
Current (Grade 4)
- http://www.schoolnet.ca/general/club-electrique/e/page10.html
- This activity demonstrates that an electric
current can act like a magnet.
-
- Shocking
Truth About Electricity by (Grade 4) by T.
Trcka, G. West, & J. Bindseil
- http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/499Electricity.pdf
- This unit plan contains hands-on experiments
leading students to better understand the concepts
of electricity (In Adobe Acobat pdf format).
-
- Watts
Up? from Project Co-NECT
- http://www.co-nect.net/Schools/Energy/elementary.html
- This project is a school electricity
conservation activity that involves learning to
read the electric meter.
-
|
static electricity
|
electricity
|
electrostatic discharge
|
energy
|
electric
charge
|
electric current
|
|
electric shock
|
insulation
|
conductor
|
atom
|
electron
|
- positive charge
|
|
Coulomb's Law
|
opposites attract
|
conservation of charge
|
fuel
cell
|
power line
|
negative charge
|
|
electrical outlet
|
electromagnet
|
electrical receptacle
|
electrical cord
|
lightning
|
electric utility
|
|
electrical appliance
|
telegraph
|
circuit
|
switch
|
GFCI (ground fault circuit
interrupter)
|
magnet
|
|
watt
|
volt
|
battery
|
charged particle
|
resistance
|
voltage
|
|
magnetism
|
ohm
|
electromotive force
|
light bulb
|
similar charge repels
|
lighting
|
|
flow
|
power plant
|
magnetic field
|
magnetic force
|
compass
|
north pole
|
|
charged particle
|
generator
|
ampere
|
turbine
|
ground
|
south pole
|
|
capacitor
|
induction
|
incandescent light
|
direct current
|
alternating current
|
light
|
|
solar energy
|
fossil fuel
|
hydroelectric power
|
nuclear
power
|
wind power
|
diffusion
|
|
Ohm's law
|
proton
|
electroscope
|
transformer
|
electric
vehicle
|
Van de Graaff generator
|
-
-
-
- Created by
Annette
Lamb and
Larry
Johnson,
11/01.
|