Electric Energy Transfer and Conservation

MST Inquiry UnitDr. O’Connor-Petruso

ED713.22 Net1By: Jackie Holzer, Cassandra Caceres

& Michael Koutros

At a glance...

Lesson 1: What is energy? Investigate through a scavenger hunt

Lesson 2: The Journey of Electricity Construct electrical circuits

Lesson 3: Conductors vs. Insulator Classify the objects

Lesson 4: Playing it safe! Make the safe choice game

Lesson 5: Energy Smart :) Cost and safe practices

Lesson 6: Life with Electric Energy Lights, Camera, Action!

Electric Energy Scavenger Hunt

Questions:1. Define energy2. Define electricity3. What are nonrenewable and renewable energy resources. Give an example of each4. Name the most common form of nonrenewable energy used to generate electric5. Identify 5 forms of energy6. Name two types of energy and give an example of each7. Potential Energy does not store energy. True or False?8. How is energy changed from one form to another? List 3 items that use electricity and what kind of energy each converts to9. How is electricity made?10.How does electricity travel to our homes?

External Links:http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=2http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_texthttp://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter01.htmlhttp://www.alliantenergykids.com/EnergyBasics/AllAboutElectricity/000419http://kids.everykilowattcounts.com/en/what-is-electricity/index.html

Filamentality Site:

http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/huntenergyaja.html

Journey of Electricity

Electrical Circuits: What’s the difference?

Simple Circuits: Consist of 1 battery, 2 wires and 1 lightbulb in socket. Must be a closed circuit to flow.

Series Circuits: Can light more than 1 lightbulb at the same time. Has a complete pathway with no alternative path. Must be a closed circuit to flow. If one lightbulb goes out the other will not light because the flow has stopped.

Parallel Circuits: Can light more than 1 lightbulb at the same time. Has multiple complete pathways. If one pathway is open and a lightbulb goes out the electricity will flow on another pathway. Does not always have to be a closed circuit.

Open Circuits: There is no complete pathway, electricity is not able to flow.

Closed Circuits: Electric energy needs a closed path (no opening) to produce electricity.

Electrical CircuitsDrag the images to the appropriate circuit

Parallel Circuits

Simple Circuits

Series Circuits

Build & test your circuits!Simple, Series & Parallel circuits: Construct your own!

Questions Predictions Results ExplanationWhat happens to the light bulbs when all the wires are correctly connected in each circuit?

What happens if a light bulb is removed from a series circuit?

Will electricity still flow if there is an opening in the simple circuit?

What happens if a light bulb is removed from a parallel circuit?

Will the light bulbs still light if there is an opening in a series circuit?

Can a series and parallel circuit light two bulbs at once?

Which will burn brighter, the light bulbs in a series circuit or parallel circuit?

Conductors vs. Insulators

Conductors: Materials that allow electric currents to pass freely through.

Examples: Silver, Brass, Copper, Aluminum, Water, Graphite

Insulators: Materials that do not allow electric currents to pass freely through them.

Examples: Cotton, Wood, Glass, Rubber, Plastic

Conductors VS Insulator Chart

MATERIAL PREDICTION RESULT

Cotton ballNickelNailQ-tipFoil

InsulatorConductorConductorInsulator Insulator

InsulatorInsulatorConductorInsulatorconductor

Make a predication…are they conductors or insulators?

Test and classify your object

Playing it Safe!

Make the Safe Choice!

The Dangers of Electricity

*water and appliance safety

In Case of Emergency

*if shocks and fires occur

Trees and Power Lines,

*safe play practices

Visit the site below and test your ability to handle electrical hazards in your home!

http://www.pge.com/microsite/safety_esw_ngsw/esw/safe_choice/game.html

Energy SmartImportant key points for you to remember...

Set your home’s thermostat a few degrees lower. For each one-degree change, your family can save up to 5 percent on your home’s heating and cooling costs!

Turn off lights and all electronics (like computers, televisions, stereos, and video-games) when you leave a room.

Use the microwave instead of the oven for cooking your meals.

Use machines like washers, dryers, and dishwashers after 8 p.m.

Open your blinds or curtains on sunny winter days to let the sun shine into your home.

Save hot water by taking short showers instead of baths.

Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.

Occasionally hold a ribbon up to the edges of your home’s windows. If air is leaking into, or out of, the house, the ribbon will move. If you find a leak, let someone in your family know so they can fix it.

Are we energy smart?

Visit the Energy Star website: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home and explore the home

Do you use the appliances presented in the model home? Graph it and discover how much energy you use everyday for a week

Key for pictograph: Full object= 24 hours, Half object= 12 hours, Quarter object= 6 hours

Not happy with results? Use the checklist to make your home energy smart

Conserve energy= save money

Many of us use appliances in our everyday lives but are not aware how much electrical cost go into using those appliances.

Let’s find out how much money it cost to use those appliances by visiting the Duke Energy Calculator: http://www.duke-energy.com/kidswithenergy/energy-calculators.asp

Here you are presented with various calculators dedicated to different appliances located in a household. One tip- enter a zipcode within the Duke area ( N.Carolina)

Life with Electric EnergyLights, Camera, Action!

Filamentality Webiste

• http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listenergyko.html

Embark on a webquest and discover additional information on Electric energy.

Watch the youtube clip on electricity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8iahHwEfNg

Can you create your own skit/play? Give it a try! Use the information discovered throughout your webquest and act it out...lights, camera, ACTION!

Lights out!By: Jackie Holzer, Cassandra Caceres & Michael Koutros