Electric current – motion of electrons

Electric current – motion of electrons

Abstract:Students first move erratically in an imaginary line and then move in one direction, representing the oriented motion of energy-carrying electrons to light a light bulb.

Learning objectives:   Get to know the students 1. What is electricity? 2. What energy does the electric current carry?

3. What does this energy turn into?

Teachers’ profile: (team transversality)   Physicist

Advisable age of students:   (Flexible according to the curriculum of specific country)14 years old

Previous knowledge:   What is energy?
                                       How energy is transferred?

Materials:  cable, switch, bulb

Phase 1             Duration:15’                      Visualisation

Display of the painting of “Night Stroke” by Jonathan Harris

Phase 2        Duration:30             Artistic action and experimentation

Development:  Students move erratically around a series of desks. The row of desks is the conductor and the students are the electrons. Then the students move in one direction to transfer energy from the electricity source to the electric bulb.

Phase 3:           Duration:45’                       Reflexion and debate

We discuss the painting where the lighting stroke is the transfer of electrons from the clouds to the earth carrying a huge amount of energy.Τhen we discuss the concept of electron, electricity, charge and electrical source.

Also the students explore the transfer and conversion of energy from one form to another.

Electric current – motion of electrons
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