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- The Topic:
- Electricity
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If you are searching for biographies of scientists or inventors
who worked with electricity, you may want to go to our companion
webpage: Scientists /
Inventors in Electricity. There you will find an
alphabetized index to biographies of select people.
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- Easier - Electricity is a form of
energy produced by the movement of electrons. Electricity is
electrical power or an electric current. This form of energy can be
sent through wires in a flow of tiny particles. It is used to
produce light and heat and to run motors.
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- Harder - Electricity is a basic
feature of all matter, of everything in the universe. Electrical
force holds atoms and molecules together. Electricity determines the
structure of every object that exists. Together with magnetism, it
causes a force called electromagnetism, a fundamental force of the
universe.
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- Electricity or electrical signals are essential to many
biological processes. In our bodies, electrical signals are carried
through the nervous system, moving information to and from the
brain. Electrical signals communicate to our brain what the eyes
see, what the ears hear, and what the fingers feel. Electrical
signals from our brain causes our muscle movements. Electrical
signals cause each heartbeat.
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- One of the most important forms of electricity is in electrical
current. During the industrial revolution of the 1800s, people began
to find ways to use electricity to do work. Today electricity is
used throughout our homes, at work, in communication, in
transportation, and in medicine and science. Electrically powered
devices are prevalent. Relatively cheap electricity has made
electrical appliances, machines, and other devices possible.
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- Electricity
at Brain Pop
- http://www.brainpop.com/science/electricity/electricity/index.weml
- Learn about electricity on this fun site by watching a movie,
taking a quiz, trying out an experiment, and lots more!
- Similar Websites for Kids:
- 2) Electric Universe from CIPCO http://cipco.electricuniverse.com/
- 3) Power Biz 101 from Southern Company
- http://www.southernco.com/learningpower/powerbiz.asp?mnuOpco=&mnuType=sub&menuItem=
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- Electricity
and Magnetism at IPPEX Interactive
- http://ippex.pppl.gov/ippex/module_4/
- Here you learn the basic concepts behind these two topics. This
site has a great online instruction module; requires download of
Shockwave plugin (Software link provided at site).
- Related Websites:
- 2) AC/DC: What's the Difference? from PBS
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/edison/sfeature/acdc.html
- 3) Electricity and Magnetism! from Interactive Plasma Physics
Education Experience http://ippex.pppl.gov/interactive/electricity/
(Requires Shockwave)
- 4) Electricity Transmission System (Chapter 11) from The
Energy Story
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/story/story-html/chapter11.html
- 5) Generators, Turbines and Power Plants (Chapter 3) from The
Energy Story
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/story/story-html/chapter03.html
- 6) Introduction To Electricity by C. Buckley, North Wales, UK
- http://www.newi.ac.uk/buckleyc/electric.htm
- 7) Introduction to Electricity by J.T. Blair
- http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/art016.html
- 8) Understanding Electricity - An Analogy with Water from
4QD-TEC
- http://www.4qdtec.com/water.html
- 9) What is Electricity? (Chapter 2) from the The Energy
Story
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/story/story-html/chapter02.html
- 10) What's Electricity from Jake's Attic
- http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/jakesattic/lab/electricity.html
- 11) Where Does Electricity Come From? from Environmental
Defense
- http://www.environmentaldefense.org/programs/Energy/green_power/d_sources.html
-
- How Power
Distribution Grids Work by M. Brain at How Stuff
Works
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/power.htm
- Power travels from the power plant to your house through an
amazing system called the power distribution grid.
- Other Related Electrical Articles from How Stuff Works:
- 2) How Batteries Work? by M. Brain http://www.howstuffworks.com/battery.htm
- 3) How California's Power Crisis Works by K. Bonsor
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/california-power.htm
- 4) How Does A Halogen Light Bulb Work?
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/question151.htm
- 5) How Electric Motors Work? by M. Brain
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/motor.htm
- 6) How Emergency Power Systems Work by M. Brain
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/emergency-power.htm
- 7) How Hydropower Plants Work by K. Bonsor
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/hydropower-plant.htm
- 8) How Lightning Works? by J. Zavisa http://www.howstuffworks.com/lightning.htm
- 9) How Many Solar Cells Would I Need in Order to Provide All of
the Electricity . .? http://www.howstuffworks.com/question418.htm
- 10) How Much Coal Is Required To Run A 100-Watt Light Bulb . . .
?
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/question481.htm
- 11) How Nuclear Power Works by M. Brain
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm
- 12) How Semiconductors Work by M. Brain
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/diode.htm
- 13) How Solar Cells Work by S. Aldous
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm
- 14) How Wires, Fuses and Connectors Work? (Automotive
Perspective) by K. Nice
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/wfc.htm
- 15) What Are Amps, Watts, Volts, and Ohms?
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/question501.htm
- 16) Why Is It that Some Appliances Have A 3-Prong Outlet While
Others . . . ? http://www.howstuffworks.com/question110.htm
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- What
Is Static Electricity? at Science Made Easy
- http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/static.html
- Here is an easy to read description of the phenomenon, plus fun
projects you can do at home.
- Related Websites:
- 2) Finding Static Electricity by R.Kurtus (6 Online Lessons)
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static.htm
- 3) 'Static Electricity' Page (Links-site)
- http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/emotor/statelec.html
- 4) What Is Static Electricity/Electrostatic Discharge? http://wwwp.exis.net/~bower/static/aboutstatic.html
- 5) Uses of Static Electricity by R. Kurtus
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/staticuse.htm
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-
- Website By Kids For Kids
- Electricity
(2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/J001647F/
- Here you learn about electrical power plants, how to make a
battery, and about the lives of people who experimented with
electricity.
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- Electricity and
Its Effects (1996 ThinkQuest Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/2763/
- This site is designed to inform you about the ways in which we
create and use electricity, and to supply information on electricity
itself.
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- Electricity
and Magnetism from Fizzics Fizzle (Grades 6-8,1998
ThinkQuest Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/16600/intermediate/electricity.shtml
- Believe it or not, electricity and magnetism are related very
closely. This site describes what electric charge and electricity
are and how magnetic fields arise through the movement of electric
charge. Also, did you know that light is created by electromagnetic
waves? Click on the Next button to begin.
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- Electricity
for All (1999 ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/6075/
- Here you learn about how a specific type of energy gets turned
into electrical energy for use by you, your family and friends.
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- Electricity
Online (Grade 9-12, 1999 ThinkQuest Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/28032/
- Learn all about electricity, its applications, and its history.
This awesome site features cool experiments, activities, and a
historical timeline.
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- Electricity
with the Sparks Scientists (2001 ThinkQuest Junior
Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112709/
- The website teaches about electricity including the sources of
electricity, the California crisis, the suppliers and sellers, and
electrical safety. It also has the inventors and their inventions
that had to do with electricity, what is it, and ways to save
electricity.
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- Electromania
(1999 ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5514/
- This website explains how electricity works and what it is used
for, plus who discovered and experimented with it.
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- Electronic
Components (1999 ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5189/
- After visiting this site, you should recognize electronic
components and symbols, know what different electronic components
do, have a basic understanding of volts, current, and resistance,
and be aware of the proper safety precautions when working with
electricity.
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- Electronics:
An Online Guide for Beginners (1998 ThinkQuest
Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/16497/
- This site teaches the basics, starting with how electrons in the
atom make electricity. It is a step-by-step guide to electronics
with practical activities where you can learn about current,
voltage, and resistance.
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- Light Up Your
Life With Electricity (1999 ThinkQuest Junior
Project)
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5516/
- The project includes a history of electricity, how it is used to
make our lives better, and plans for creating your own flashlight.
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- Magnificent
World of Electricity (2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/J002796/
- This site is all about electricity, how we use it, different
kinds of circuits, how electricity can be dangerous, and some
information on lightning.
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- Shocking
Electricity (1999 ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5217/
- Here you can learn how electricity is produced. The site also
includes safety tips,activities, and pictures of a power plant.
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- Shocking Truth
About Electricity (1999 ThinkQuest Junior Project)
- http://tqjunior.advanced.org/6064/main.html
- Have you ever wondered how much we depend on electricity? Where
does electricity come from? What are those volts, amps and watts
anyway?
-
- Super
Conductivity (1998 ThinkQuest Project)
- http://library.thinkquest.org/20872/
- This website introduces you to the history of superconductivity,
a highly efficient use of electricity, and its theories and uses.
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- Lots More Electrifying Sites
- Brief
History of Electricity
- http://www.the-education-site.com/electric/history.htm
- Electricity has been around as long as the Earth itself.
Electrical storms played a significant part in the creation of life
on this planet but the difference it has made to our lives today has
a much shorter history.
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- Electricity
and Magnetism
- http://theory.uwinnipeg.ca/mod_tech/node83.html
- Created for College-level course, this online chapter discusses
basic theory and phenomena associated with electricity and
magnetism.
- Similar Website:
- 2) Introduction To Electricity by C. Buckley
- http://www.newi.ac.uk/buckleyc/electric.htm
-
- Electrification
- http://www.greatachievements.org/greatachievements/ga_1_1.html
- Here you can learn how power came to our cities, factories, and
homes. The website includes a timeline.
-
- Electronics
Circuits Reference Archive
- http://www.4qdtec.com/index.html
- Calling itself the 'Electronics Club,' this site has a wealth of
information and resources.
-
- Energy
Savers: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home at U.S.
Dept. of Energy
- http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/
- By using a few inexpensive energy-efficient measures, most
homeowners can reduce their energy bills by 10% to 50% and, at the
same time, help reduce air pollution.
- Related Websites:
- 2) Close the door!
- http://cipco.electricuniverse.com/html/eu/education/louie/life/conserv/con1.html
- 3) Consumer Tips For Kids
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/kidstips/index.html
- 4) Draft-O-Meter
- http://cipco.electricuniverse.com/html/eu/education/louie/life/conserv/con2.html
- 5) Home Energy Survey from Irish Energy Centre
- http://www.irish-energy.ie/HomeEnergySurvey/html/survey.html
- 6) Power Bandit
- http://cipco.electricuniverse.com/html/eu/education/louie/life/conserv/bandit10.html
- 7) Saving Energy (Energy Conservation)
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/savingenergy.html
- 8) Saving Energy and Energy Conservation (Chapter 15) from
The Energy Story
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/story/story-html/chapter15.html
- 9) Wasting Energy (Printable Worksheet)
- http://www.irish-energy.ie/Smart_E/activities/worksheets/waste.htm
- 10) Why Are My Power Bills So High? What Appliances Use the Most
Power?
- from How Stuff Works http://www.howstuffworks.com/question272.htm
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- Finding
Static Electricity by R.Kurtus (6 Online Lessons)
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static.htm
- Have you ever experienced static electricity? Most people have
felt sparks or have seen objects cling together because of static
electricity. You may have some questions, such as how can you detect
static electricity, how can you make or create static electricity,
or can static electricity dangerous be to you?
- Other Related Lessons from R. Kurtus:
- 2) Direct Current (DC) Electricity
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/dc.htm
- 3) DC Circuits http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/dccircuits.htm
- 4) Electromagnetism
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/electromagnetism.htm
- 5) Alternating Current (AC) Electricity
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/ac.htm
- 6) Alternating Current (AC) Home Wiring
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/acwiring.htm
- 7) AC Transformers
- http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/actransformers.htm
- 8) Electric Power http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/electpower.htm
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- Lessons In
Electric Circuits by By T.R. Kuphaldt
- http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/electricCircuits/
- Here is a free series of online texts on the subjects of
electricity and electronics.
- Related Websites:
- 2) DC Circuits and Components: Capacitors, Resistors, Batteries
& Wires. Oh, My!
- http://www.physics.gatech.edu/academics/Classes/2k_summer/2212/a/circuits.html
- 3) Electricity and Electronics: Teaching and Learning Resources
- http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/trinity/elec2.html
- 4) Troubleshooting: Electrical Circuits (Automotive Perspective)
from Delmar
- Publishers http://www.autoweb.lycos.com/garage/subsys/bacircui.htm
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- Mortal
Kontact from San Diego Gas & Electric
- http://www.sdge.com/sdge.cgi?template=Arcade/er_f3.html&frame1=er_c1.html&frame2=er_h1.html&frame3=er_1.html&change=yes
- me2=er_h1.html&frame3=er_1.html&change=yes
- Electricity is a very powerful and helpful tool, but like any
form of energy you must treat it with respect. Here are some simple
rules you should follow with electricity.
- Related Websites:
- 2) Being Safe Around Electricity from Tri-County Electric
Cooperative, Rushford,
- MN http://www.tec-rec.com/kids/safety.html
- 3) Frankenstein's Lightning Laboratory: Electrical Safety from
Miami Museum of
- Science and Space http://www.miamisci.org/af/sln/frankenstein/
- 4) Kids' Lightning Information and Safety
- http://www.azstarnet.com/~anubis/zaphome.htm
- 5) Electrical Safety Library http://hazard.com/library/Electricity/
- 6) Lightning Safety Quiz http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/safety.html
- 7) Rules for Electrical Safety http://www.cp-ws.com/ElecSafetyRules.htm
- 8) Safety with Electricity from Western Power
- http://www.wpcorp.com.au/education_training/world_of_energy/kids_area/safety_electricity.html
- ctricity.html
-
- Renewable
Power from Western Power, Australia
- http://www.wpcorp.com.au/our_environment/renewable_energy/start_page/index.html
- Learn about this power company's focus on renewable energy from
wind, bioenergy and to a lesser extent, solar technologies.
- Related Websites:
- 2) California's Renewable Road http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/renewableroad/index.html
- 3) Solar Electricity http://www.soton.ac.uk/~solar/intro/start.htm
- 4) Waterpower from Encarta http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=04EE7000
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- Science:
Electricity
- http://www.english.upenn.edu/~jlynch/Frank/Contexts/electric.html
- This website provides a historical perspective of electrical
experiments and discovery.
-
- Theater of
Electricity from Museum of Science, Boston
- http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/toe.html
- Visit the online home of the world's largest air-insulated Van
de Graaff generator. Learn about sparks, electricity, Tesla cells,
lightning, and more.
- Related Websites:
- 2) How Van de Graaff Generators Work by J.M. Zavisa from How
Stuff Works
- http://www.howstuffworks.com/vdg.htm
- 3) Van de Graaff Electrostatic Generator Page
- http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/emotor/vdg.html
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- Websites for Teachers
- Activities to
Explore Static Electricity at Boston Museum of
Science
- http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/staticmenu.html
- Here you find background information and activities for teaching
about static electricity.
- Related Websites:
- 2) Electricity and Tennis Balls http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/tennisballs.html
- 3) Static Electricity - A Hair Raising Phenomenon (Grades K-6)
from Franklin
- Institute http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/activity/energy/ener-2.html
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- Brown
Bag Science (Grades 1-5) by J. Adair
- http://explorer.scrtec.org/explorer/explorer-db/rsrc/783750561-447DED81.1.htm
- The purpose of this investigation is to introduce students to
the concept of electricity and dispel any fears they may have that
they don't understand the concept.
-
- Conductor
or Not (Grades 4-5)
- http://www.minnetonka.k12.mn.us/science/lessons45/conductor.html
- In this activity, students identify conductors and nonconductors
of electricity.
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- Electrical
Appliances (Grades K-3) by M. Schaefer
- http://www.amphi.com/~tlcf/schaefer/web1/elec.html
- A technology timeline is used by students to explore how
electrical appliances have changed during each decade of this
century. Lesson includes printable worksheets.
-
- Electricity
(Grades 5-7) by J. Levey
- http://www.iit.edu/~smile/ph9406.html
- This activity has students creating a number of electrical
circuits.
-
- Electricity
and Magnetism Lesson Plans from Teach-nology
- http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/science/physics/electricity/
- This lesson collection contains 32 different plans.
-
- It's
Positively Shocking (Grade 1) by L. Haskell & J. Catlett
- http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/1_97_ItsPositivelyShock.pdf
- In these lessons, demonstrations and hands-on experiments
involve static and current electricity through simple circuits,
insulators and conductors (In Adobe Acrobat pdf format).
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- Live
Wires Turned On To Electricity by D. Brock & L.
Faulkenberg (Grade 4)
- http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/42K_Live_Wires.pdf
- This site contains a nine-lesson unit with hands-on activities
and background information for the study of static and current
electricity, conductors, insulators, and electromagnets (In Adobe
Acobat pdf format).
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- Magnetic
Current (Grade 4)
- http://www.schoolnet.ca/general/club-electrique/e/page10.html
- This activity demonstrates that an electric current can act like
a magnet.
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- Shocking
Truth About Electricity by (Grade 4) by T. Trcka, G. West,
& J. Bindseil
- http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/499Electricity.pdf
- This unit plan contains hands-on experiments leading students to
better understand the concepts of electricity (In Adobe Acobat pdf
format).
-
- Watts
Up? from Project Co-NECT
- http://www.co-nect.net/Schools/Energy/elementary.html
- This project is a school electricity conservation activity that
involves learning to read the electric meter.
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|
static electricity |
electricity |
electrostatic discharge |
energy |
electric
charge |
electric current |
|
electric shock |
insulation |
conductor |
atom |
electron |
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positive charge
|
|
Coulomb's Law |
opposites attract |
conservation of charge |
fuel
cell |
power line |
negative charge |
|
electrical outlet |
electromagnet |
electrical receptacle |
electrical cord |
lightning |
electric utility |
|
electrical appliance |
telegraph |
circuit |
switch |
GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) |
magnet |
|
watt |
volt |
battery |
charged particle |
resistance |
voltage |
|
magnetism |
ohm |
electromotive force |
light bulb |
similar charge repels |
lighting |
|
flow |
power plant |
magnetic field |
magnetic force |
compass |
north pole |
|
charged particle |
generator |
ampere |
turbine |
ground |
south pole |
|
capacitor |
induction |
incandescent light |
direct current |
alternating current |
light |
|
solar energy |
fossil fuel |
hydroelectric power |
nuclear
power |
wind power |
diffusion |
|
Ohm's law |
proton |
electroscope |
transformer |
electric
vehicle |
Van de Graaff
generator |
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-
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Created by Annette
Lamb and Larry
Johnson,
11/01.
|