4-5.8 Classify materials as either conductors or insulators of electricity.
Conductors and Insulators of Electricity
Essential Question: How do I classify materials as either conductors or insulators of electricity?
Electricity flows through pathways called circuits. Electricity flows through some material easily. Other materials block the flow of electricity. Both kinds of materials are useful.
Essential Question: How do I classify materials as either conductors or insulators of electricity?
Electricity flows through pathways called circuits. Electricity flows through some material easily. Other materials block the flow of electricity. Both kinds of materials are useful.
Conductors
A material that lets electric current pass through it is called a conductor. Metals are very good conductors. Iron and copper are both metals. They conduct electricity, or let electric charges move through them. |
Insulators
Other materials do not let electric current pass through them. These materials are called insulators. Rubber, glass, wood, and plastic are examples of insulators. Copper wires in electrical cords and circuits are usually coated with plastic or rubber. The coating makes the wires safe to touch. Electric current can flow through the copper, but the current cannot flow through the plastic to shock your hand. Most electrical power lines do not have insulation around them. The power lines are very dangerous to touch. People who work on the lines must use insulated tools. If you see a fallen power line, tell an adult. Do not touch it! |
Classifying Conductors and Insulators
You can use an electric circuit to test whether a material is a conductor.
You know that electricity can flow only in a closed circuit. All materials in a circuit must be conductors, or the pathway will be broken. Let's use a piece of aluminum foil and connect it to two pieces of wire. Aluminum is a good conductor, so electricity can move through it. The light bulb lights up because there is a closed circuit.
If you place a rubber eraser where the foil is, the bulb will not light up. Rubber is an insulator.
You can use an electric circuit to test whether a material is a conductor.
You know that electricity can flow only in a closed circuit. All materials in a circuit must be conductors, or the pathway will be broken. Let's use a piece of aluminum foil and connect it to two pieces of wire. Aluminum is a good conductor, so electricity can move through it. The light bulb lights up because there is a closed circuit.
If you place a rubber eraser where the foil is, the bulb will not light up. Rubber is an insulator.
Learning Task #1:
Students investigate (classify) conductors and insulators. They use a circuit tester. Students describe the characteristics of conductors and insulators, citing information gathered during their experiments. Learning Task #2: Students create a Show me app to compare the characteristics of conductors and insulators. Students summarize the comparison on the diagram into a written explanation. Formative Assessment: How can you classify a material as an insulator or conductor? Graphic Organizer |
Resources:
ABDO e-Book: ●Electricity in the Real World, pg. 21 Discovery Ed Techbook: ●About Electricity ●Electric Circuits Techbook Resources: ●Conductors and Insulators Reading Passage ●Conductors and InsulatorsVideo Clip |