1. Electricity A shocking story!

2. What do we already know about electricity? In a group - brainstorm for 10 minutes - everything that you can think of that you already know. In a group - brainstorm for 10 minutes - everything that you can think of that you already know. Choose one person as the secretary Choose one person as the secretary Write down everything - you are brainstorming. Write down everything - you are brainstorming. brainstorming

3. Key Questions How do objects become charged? How do objects become charged? How do positive and negative charges interact? How do positive and negative charges interact? What is the difference between insulators and conductors? What is the difference between insulators and conductors? What causes lightning? What causes lightning?

4. Static Electricity Around Us What could be similar about a lightning storm and walking across a carpet? What could be similar about a lightning storm and walking across a carpet? What causes lightning? What causes lightning? What gives you a zap when you touch a doorknob? What gives you a zap when you touch a doorknob?

5. Rubbing Ice and water droplets rub against each other in a cloud. Ice and water droplets rub against each other in a cloud. Your shoes or socks rub against the carpet when you walk. Your shoes or socks rub against the carpet when you walk. Why do you think rubbing might create the right condition for sparks? Why do you think rubbing might create the right condition for sparks?

6. Charges Scientists have known for hundreds of years that many materials will be attracted if they are rubbed against another material. Scientists have known for hundreds of years that many materials will be attracted if they are rubbed against another material. They used the word “ charged ” to describe these materials. They used the word “ charged ” to describe these materials. These materials carry an “ electric charge ” These materials carry an “ electric charge ” Materials that do not carry a charge are called “ neutral ”. Materials that do not carry a charge are called “ neutral ”.

7. Conductors and Insulators Insulators - the charge stays on one spot of the material. Insulators - the charge stays on one spot of the material. Insulators do not allow the charges to move freely on or through the object. Insulators do not allow the charges to move freely on or through the object. Conductors - the charge is allowed to move freely through the material Conductors - the charge is allowed to move freely through the material Most metals are conductors Most metals are conductors Most non-metals are insulators Most non-metals are insulators

8. So…what about rubbing?

9. Rubbing causes electrons to be pulled from the surface of one material and relocated on the surface of the other material. Rubbing a balloon on a wool sweater creates charges on the surfaces The material that loses electrons ends up with an excess of positive (+) charges. The material that gains electrons ends up an excess of negative (-) charges on its surface.