Electricity and Magnets Flashcard Set

Science Power-Up! Unit 3 Study Guide (Grade 5)

Part 1: Two Types of Electric Power!

Static Electricity

  • Definition: A sticky, built-up charge that stays in one place.

  • Cause: Happens when two objects rub together, a process known as friction.

  • Mechanism: Electrons (tiny parts of an atom) jump onto an object and remain there.

  • Examples:

    • Rubbing a balloon on your hair

    • A boy sliding down a slide and his hair stands up

  • Cool Fact (Law of Charges): If two objects have the same charge (e.g., both negative), they will push each other away (repel).

Harnessed Electricity

  • Definition: The electricity that flows from a power plant to your home; it is always moving.

  • Mechanism: Electrons move in a steady flow through wires to power your devices.

  • Examples:

    • Plugging in a lamp

    • Turning on a TV

  • Cool Fact: This is the type of power used every day!

Part 2: Circuits: The Electric Racetrack 🏎

  • Definition: A circuit is the complete path that electricity must follow to operate a device.

Types of Circuits

  • Closed Circuit:

    • The path is complete; the electron race is on, and the light turns ON!

  • Open Circuit:

    • The path is broken (like a switch is flipped off). The race stops, and the light turns OFF!

The Power Crew

  • Battery: Acts as the gas station (energy source).

  • Wire: Serves as the road for electron flow.

  • Switch: Functions as the gate that opens or closes the road.

  • Light Bulb: Represents the finish line of the circuit.

Part 3: Conductors & Insulators (Helpers & Stoppers!) 🛑 ⚡

Conductors (The Helper)

  • Definition: Materials that help electricity pass through easily.

  • Characteristics:

    • Usually metallic (e.g., paper clips, pennies, gold, iron).

    • Low resistivity; they have low "resistance" (minimal pushback against electron flow).

  • Safety Note: The metal part of a wire acts as the conductor, while the plastic coating around it serves as an insulator for safety.

Insulators (The Stopper)

  • Definition: Materials that block electricity and prevent it from flowing.

  • Characteristics:

    • Normally made from non-metallic materials (e.g., plastic, wood, rubber, glass).

    • High resistivity; they have high "resistance" (they hinder the flow of electricity).

Part 4: Electromagnets vs. Permanent Magnets 🧲

Electromagnet (The Switchable Magnet)

  • Power Requirement: Requires a battery or electric current to function.

  • Control: Can be turned ON and OFF using a switch.

    • Applications: Useful for tasks such as lifting and dropping heavy objects like cars.

  • How to Make It Stronger:

    1. Add more coils of wire (wrap the wire more times).

    2. Use a larger battery (increases power).

Permanent Magnet (The Always-On Magnet)

  • Power Requirement: Does NOT require a battery; it is constantly magnetic.

  • Control: It is always ON and cannot be easily turned off.

  • Strength Characteristics: Its magnetic strength is fixed and not easily changeable.

Magnetic Force Fun Facts

  • A magnetic field is like an invisible force bubble surrounding the magnet.

  • If a thick, strong material (e.g., a sheet of steel) is placed between a magnet and a smaller object (like a marble), the magnet's force bubble decreases.

  • This necessitates moving the magnet closer to the marble to successfully attract it.