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Conductors and Insulators Activity

The document discusses conducting electricity and testing the conductivity of different materials. An experiment was conducted where an electrical circuit with a bulb was used to test if various materials could conduct electricity based on whether the bulb lit up. Metals like gold and copper were the best conductors while materials like plastic and wood did not conduct. Salt water conducted due to dissolved charged particles while distilled water did not.

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Helen Tadena
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348 views2 pages

Conductors and Insulators Activity

The document discusses conducting electricity and testing the conductivity of different materials. An experiment was conducted where an electrical circuit with a bulb was used to test if various materials could conduct electricity based on whether the bulb lit up. Metals like gold and copper were the best conductors while materials like plastic and wood did not conduct. Salt water conducted due to dissolved charged particles while distilled water did not.

Uploaded by

Helen Tadena
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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✩ Conducting electricity

Background knowledge
Matter that allows electricity to pass through it easily is called an electrical
conductor. Electricity passes through a conductor to turn on a TV or
computer, for example. Metals can conduct electricity, but some are
better conductors than others. Solutions that have dissolved charged
particles in them can also conduct electricity.

Science activity
An electrical circuit was set up to test Material tested Status of bulb
the conductivity of different types of gold very bright
matter. A bulb was placed in the copper bright
circuit. If the matter conducted plastic not lit
electricity, the bulb lit up. wood not lit
graphite fairly bright
lead fairly bright
paper not lit
salt water bright
distilled water not lit

What factor was used to determine the conductivity of the matter?

Which sample(s) of matter are the best conductors?

What types of matter are the best conductors of electricity?

Why do you think salt water can light the bulb but distilled water cannot?

Science investigation
Take extra care - ask an adult to
supervise you.
Build your own circuit using a 6 volt battery as
your source of electricity and a Led light bulb.
Test other types of matter for conductivity.
Create a data table to record your observations.

38

© Dorling Kindersley Limited [2010]


38 Conducting electricity 3
Background knowledge
Matter that allows electricity to pass through it easily is called an electrical
conductor. Electricity passes through a conductor to turn on a TV or
computer, for example. Metals can conduct electricity, but some are better
conductors than others. Solutions that have dissolved charged particles in
them can also conduct electricity.

Science activity
An electrical circuit was set up to test Material tested Status of bulb
the conductivity of different types of gold very bright
matter. A bulb was placed in the copper bright
circuit. If the matter conducted plastic not lit
electricity, the bulb lit up. To learn wood not lit
more about circuits see website 38-1. graphite fairly bright
lead fairly bright
paper not lit
salt water bright
distilled water not lit

What factor was used to determine the conductivity of the matter?


The brightness of the bulb was used. The brighter the bulb, the better
the conductor.
Which sample(s) of matter are the best conductors? Gold and copper

What types of matter are the best conductors of electricity?


Metals are the best conductors of electricity.
Why do you think salt water can light the bulb but distilled water cannot?
Salt water has charged particles in it, and so it can conduct electricity.

Science investigation
Led lights, batteries, and alligator wires can be purchased
from stores such as Radio Shack. Answers will vary as the child
tests different matter samples for conductivity.

Led lights, batteries, and alligator wires can be


purchased from stores
© Dorlingsuch asLimited
Kindersley Radio Shack. Answers
[2010]

will vary as the child tests different matter samples

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