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Electricity and magnetism

LOOK

• What is lightning?
• What produces it?
• Do thunder and lightning
occur at the same time?

READ

1. Electrical charges 26 If we rub an object with something made from

a different material, we make electrical charges
There are two types of electrical charge: move, creating static electricity.
positive and negative. Negative charges can move
For example, if you rub a balloon onto your hair,
from one place or object to another.
negative charges move from your hair onto
• If an object has more positive than negative the balloon. Your hair becomes positively charged
charges, it is positively charged. and the balloon becomes negatively charged.
• If an object has more negative than positive You can stick the balloon to your hair,
charges, it is negatively charged. and your hair stands on end.
• If an object has the same number of positive and
negative charges, it is neutral.
Objects with opposite charges attract each other,
and objects with the same charges repel each other.

What happens when an object has more positive than negative charges?
Write some more questions and answer them.
What sometimes happens if you rub your hand on your clothes and then touch a metal door handle?

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Electrical current and electric circuits

LOOK AND READ

1. Electrical current 27
insulator
Electrical current is the flow of electrical charges. (plastic)
It transmits energy called electricity.
Electrical current flows differently, depending on
the type of material through which it flows. conductor
• Conductors: electrical current flows easily through (copper)
conductors. Most metals are conductors.
• Insulators: electrical current does not flow easily
through insulators, such as air, glass, plastic,
wood and rubber.

2. Electric circuits 28 Wires are made up of conductors (copper) and insulators

(plastic).
An electric circuit consists of different components
connected to each other to allow the flow of
an electrical current.
conducting
The four basic components of an electric circuit are: wire
• A generator, which is the source of electricity, generator
such as an electrical plant or a battery
• An electrical component, such as a light bulb switch
or a motor
receiver
• Conducting wires
• A switch to control the flow of electrical current.
A switch in the on position closes the circuit and
allows the flow of electrical current. A switch in the
off position opens the circuit and breaks the flow An electric circuit
of electrical current.

bulb mains

switch
plug

Electrical current flows easily through conductors.

Write more sentences about electrical current. An electric circuit: the plug connects the lamp
When is an electric circuit open? to the mains, which provides the electricity.
The switch opens or closes the circuit.

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Magnets and magnetism

READ

1. Magnets 29

A magnet is an object which can attract objects

made of iron or mixtures of iron, such as steel.
This attraction is called magnetism.
Magnets can be natural, such as the mineral
magnetite, or artificial, such as magnets
manufactured from metal.
Magnets have two poles: north and south. When the
opposite poles of two magnets are placed together,
the magnets attract each other. If the same poles
are placed together, the magnets repel each other.

2. Magnetic fields
Magnets create magnetic fields. They are the space
around a magnet where materials, such as iron Iron filings in a magnetic field generated by bar magnets
filings, are affected by magnetic forces.

3. Electromagnets
An electromagnet is a conducting wire wrapped
around a piece of iron, called a coil, which acts
as a magnet when electrical current flows through it.
electromagnet
4. The uses of magnets
Magnets are used in electric motors and generators
for telephones, lights, televisions, computers and
more.
• Magnetic recording media are used in audio
cassettes, floppy disks and hard disks to store
information in a very small space.
• Magnetic strips store information on credit cards. An electric circuit with an electromagnet
• Electromagnets are used in televisions, computer
monitors, loudspeakers and microphones.

How many types of magnets are there?

Answer the question. Then write another question and answer it.

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Electricity

LOOK AND READ

1. Electricity production Electricity generation, transmission

and consumption
Electricity is produced at power stations or power plants.
Water, steam or wind moves a turbine connected
to a generator. When the turbine rotates, the generator
converts mechanical energy into electricity, using
a magnetic field and a conductor.
Power stations use different energy sources to move
the turbine. Some use non-renewable energies, such as
coal, while others use renewable energies, such as wind.

2. Electricity transmission Generating electricity

The electricity generated at a power station is transmitted
through conducting wires to substations near populated
areas. It is transmitted through tall towers and special
electrical power lines called high-tension power
transmission lines.

3. Electricity distribution and consumption 30

Power lines distribute electricity to homes, offices and

industries. It is used by different appliances to produce:
• Heat: for example, radiators
Transmitting electricity
• Movement: for example, washing machines
• Light: for example, computers
• Sound: for example, doorbells

Consuming electricity

A hydroelectric power plant

What do power stations produce?

Write questions beginning with the following words: What …? Where …? How …?

ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM 23