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C. Matter and Energy · Electrical Phenomena, Energy, and Devices

Electrical Phenomena, Energy, and Devices: Unit Review

A1.1 A1.2 A1.3 A1.4 A1.5 A2.1 A2.2 A3.1 A3.2 A3.3 C1.1 C1.2 C2.1 C2.2 C2.3 C2.4 C2.5 C2.6 C2.7About 40 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can explain static electricity and compare it with current electricity.
  • I can sort conductors and insulators, name the parts of a circuit, and tell series from parallel circuits.
  • I can describe how energy is transformed into and out of electrical energy.
  • I can assess the impacts of making electricity and choices that reduce how much we use.

Words to know

electron
A tiny negative particle that can move from one object to another.
static electricity
Charge that builds up on an object and stays until it discharges.
current electricity
A steady flow of charge through a closed circuit.
conductor
A material that lets current flow easily, like copper.
insulator
A material that blocks current, like plastic or rubber.
load
A device that changes electrical energy into a useful form.
parallel circuit
A circuit with two or more branches.
generator
A machine that changes motion energy into electrical energy.

Let's review!

In this unit you explained static electricity with electrons and charges, compared it with current electricity, tested conductors and insulators, learned the jobs of the parts of a circuit, and built and compared series and parallel circuits. You traced how technologies make electrical energy and how devices use it, assessed the impacts of making electricity in Canada, including on First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and on climate change, and found ways to use less and advocate for change.

This review has a few questions from every lesson. Try each one, then press Show answer to check.

Static Electricity: Charges That Build Up

1

A plastic comb is pulled through hair and becomes negative. Did it gain or lose electrons?

2

Two balloons, both rubbed on wool, hang side by side. What do they do?

3

Explain the doorknob zap in one or two sentences.

4

Why does a charged balloon pick up neutral bits of paper?

−−like chargesREPEL++like chargesREPEL+−opposite chargesATTRACT−charged + neutralATTRACTneutral
The rules of charges: like charges repel, opposite charges attract, and a charged object attracts a neutral one.

Current Electricity: Charges on the Move

1

What two things does current electricity need?

2

Give one similarity and one difference between static and current electricity.

3

Why do we never experiment with wall outlets?

Conductors and Insulators

1

Sort: copper wire, rubber glove, steel key, glass jar.

2

Why is a wire made of copper covered with plastic?

3

What should you do if you see a fallen power line?

Parts of a Simple Circuit

1

Name the four main parts of a simple circuit and the job of each.

2

A circuit has a gap in it. What kind of circuit is it, and does current flow?

3

What is a short circuit, and why must you avoid it?

Series and Parallel Circuits

1

In which type of circuit does every bulb go out when one burns out?

2

Why is home wiring in parallel?

3

Where should one switch go to control all the bulbs in a parallel circuit?

Series: bulb 1 removed+−gapbulb 2: OFFone path, now brokenParallel: bulb 1 removed+−gapbulb 2: still ONits own branch is still complete
Remove one bulb and compare. In a series circuit the only path is broken, so the other bulb goes out. In a parallel circuit the other branch is still complete, so its bulb stays on.

Making Electricity: Energy Into Electrical Energy

1

Write the energy chain for a hydroelectric station.

2

What two main parts are inside a generator?

3

Which technology changes light directly into electrical energy?

Using Electricity: Electrical Energy Into Other Forms

1

Name the useful and the wasted energy in a ceiling fan.

2

When you charge a phone, what form is the energy stored in?

3

Who was Lewis Latimer?

Impacts of Making Electricity in Canada

1

Give one long-term impact of nuclear power and one of natural gas power.

2

How did the James Bay hydroelectric project affect Cree and Inuit communities?

3

Give one example of a First Nation leading or partnering in an electricity project.

Using Less Electricity: Choices and Advocacy

1

A 60 W bulb is on for 5 hours. How much energy does it use?

2

Why save electricity even when it comes from renewable sources?

3

In the smart-light code, someone is here and brightness = 90. Are the lights on or off?

4

Name one way to advocate for saving electricity at school.

Just for fun

Why did the light bulb do so well on its unit review?

It was very bright, and it always stayed switched on!

How to use this review

  • Answer each question before you press Show answer.
  • Put a check mark beside the ones you got right.
  • If you missed two or more in one section, go back to that lesson and redo its practice questions.
  • Then take the quiz below. Read every choice before you pick.
Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Rubbing a balloon on your hair moves...

2.

Opposite charges...

3.

Which is current electricity?

4.

Which material is a good insulator?

5.

Which part of a circuit opens and closes the path?

6.

In a parallel circuit, removing one bulb...

7.

A wind turbine changes...

8.

A toaster's useful energy is...

9.

Which is a long-term impact of burning natural gas to make electricity?

10.

Which choice reduces standby power?

For parents and teachers

What this review covers: all expectations in Strand C (C1.1, C1.2, C2.1 to C2.7) with the Strand A STEM skills used in the unit.

If your child had trouble with...

  • electrons, attract/repel, shocks and lightning → revisit Static Electricity: Charges That Build Up.
  • comparing static and current, batteries and volts → revisit Current Electricity: Charges on the Move.
  • sorting materials, why wires have plastic coatings, electrical safety → revisit Conductors and Insulators.
  • naming circuit parts, open/closed/short circuits, circuit symbols → revisit Parts of a Simple Circuit.
  • predicting what happens when a bulb is removed, uses of each circuit → revisit Series and Parallel Circuits.
  • generators, turbines, energy chains for power stations → revisit Making Electricity: Energy Into Electrical Energy.
  • useful vs wasted energy in devices, charging batteries → revisit Using Electricity: Electrical Energy Into Other Forms.
  • trade-offs, impacts on First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, climate change → revisit Impacts of Making Electricity in Canada.
  • watt-hour math, the smart-light code, planning a school campaign → revisit Using Less Electricity: Choices and Advocacy.

Tip: ask your child to explain a flashlight to you from start to finish: where the energy comes from, the parts of the circuit, and what the energy turns into. Teaching is one of the best ways to remember.