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Lesson 4: The Case of the Missing Wires

Conductors!

Overview

After reviewing the essential components of electrical circuits students will be guided through a mystery in which they investigate the conductivity of various materials. Explorations lead to a beginning understanding of uses and safety concerns associated with conductors and insulators.

Key Ideas

• While electrical circuits can be connected in different ways, all circuits have three essential parts: a source, a pathway, and a receiver.
• A complete path to and from the source (loop) is needed for the electric current to flow.
• Current electricity can exist in and move through a conductor. A conductor is a material that allows an electric current to pass through it.
• An insulator does not allow an electric current to pass through it.

Lesson Goals

Students will:

• recognize that all materials are not able to provide a pathway for the flow of electricity.
• examine the differences in electrical conductivity of a variety of common materials.
• use knowledge of conductors and insulators to explain why and how certain materials are used simple electrical devices (i.e. light bulbs, extension cords, desk lamps, etc.)

Lesson Resources

Download Lesson Plan (10 pages, 436 KB)



Student Handout 4.1: Conductors and Insulators (184 KB)

Online Extensions

Watch the Mythbusters episode that debunked Ben Franklin's kite and key experiment. Videos are available online through a subscription service.

Connection to Maine Agencies

MEEP (Maine Energy Education Program) has an Apple Battery exploration and will come to interested schools, free of charge. Students experiment with making a battery by inserting different types of metals into an apple and measuring the electrical current they generate.

For schools in Aroostook County, a Maine Public Service (MPS) representative will come to interested schools, free of charge, to guide and support the concepts developed in this lesson.