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UNIT 5
Electricity and magnetism

UNIT CONTENT
Content objectives
1. Understanding that objects are electrically charged (positively or negatively)
2. Describing static electricity and its origin
3. Understanding electrical current and distinguishing conductors and insulators
4. Identifying the different components of a simple electric circuit
5. Identifying magnets; describing their forces and uses
6. Describing how electromagnets work
7. Describing electricity production, transmission, distribution and consumption

Language objectives
1. Making comparisons: more negative than positive …
2. Describing nouns and verbs: negative charges … negatively charged …
3. Describing reciprocal situations: attract each other … connected to each other …
4. Using relative pronouns and prepositions: through which it flows …
5. Passive structures to describe facts: is called … are placed … are affected …
6. Describing a reaction: When an object moves …

Contents

CONCEPTS PROCEDURES ATTITUDES

• Electrical charges and static • Study photographs to obtain • Appreciate technology as

electricity
• Electrical current and electric
circuits
• Magnets: properties and uses
• Electricity production,
transmission, distribution and
consumption
information
• Observe and interpret
information from drawings and
diagrams
• Use tables and diagrams to
process information
• Use audio recordings to follow
text
something that makes life
easier
• Develop awareness of need to
save electricity
• Take an active role in
electricity savings

Assessment criteria
• Describing how objects are electrically charged
and their electrical interactions
• Describing how static electricity is created
• Identifying conductors and insulators
• Identifying the components of an electric circuit
• Identifying magnets and describing their forces
and uses
• Describing electromagnets and their uses
• Describing electricity production, transmission,
distribution and consumption

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RESOURCES
Resource folder

PHOTOCOPIABLE RESOURCES SPECIAL PROGRAMMES*

• Reinforcement and Extension • Developing intelligence worksheets

– Reinforcement: Worksheet 5 • Working with recent immigrants
– Extension: Worksheet 5
• Assessment
– Assessment: Worksheet 5

Internet resources
www.richmondelt.com
www.indexnet.santillana.es
Electricity activities
http://www.cchs.co.uk/tech-coll/primary/resources/ks1/
electricity/activities.htm
Do simple activities online about electricity and safety.
The Electricity Book
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/
client_ftp/ks2/science/electricity_book1/index.htm
Take a look at simple circuits to see how they work.
Power up
http://www.edfenergy.com/powerup/keystage2/house/
index.html
Play games to learn about the wonders and dangers of
electricity.

6
LEVEL
Electricity and magnetism
http://ippex.pppl.gov/interactive/electricity/
Learn about electricity and magnetism with interactive
presentations.
THE MYSTERY
OF MAGNETS
Other resources
• Richmond World Facts
• Richmond Student's Dictionary
• Flashcards
• Posters

* Not yet available in English www.richmondelt.com

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Content objectives: 1, 2.
Language objectives: 1, 2, 3.
■ Hands on
Exploring static electricity
• Distribute clear plastic plates. Ss
place cereal under the upside-down
plates. Ss rub the plates vigorously
with a piece of cloth.
• The cereal 'floats' to the top of the
plates. Ask: How do you explain what
happens to the cereal? (It is due to
static electricity.)
• Ss perform the experiment with a
lighter cereal. This time the cereal
rises more easily. Ask Ss to explain.
The weight of an object affects the
attraction of static electricity.
■ Presentation
• LOOK Focus on the photo and questions.
Lightning is an electric discharge. It is
produced by a strong electric current
created between the negative charge at the
bottom of a thunder cloud and the positive
charge of the Earth’s surface.
• Thunder and lightning do occur at the same
time. However, light travels much faster
than sound.
• READ Ss read 1 with 48 . Ask: Do you think
all objects have electric charges? (Yes,
electric charge is a characteristic of
matter.)
• Ask Ss to share experiences in which they
have felt little shocks or seen sparks when
they touched something. Ask: What do
these shocks or sparks have in common
with lightning or with a torch? (They are all
electrical phenomena.) Explain that static
electricity is generated by friction.
➔ R Activity Book, page 20.
50
Vocabulary
attract, electrical charge, negative, neutral,
opposite, positive, repel, same, static electricity
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.
• If an object has more positive than negative
negative charges move from your hair onto
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?
It is positively charged. M.A. What happens when an object
has more negative than positive charges? It is negatively
20 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
charged. / You may feel little shocks due to static electricity.
■ CONTENT AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Comprehension. Ss complete these sentences
with the correct words.
1. There are … types of electrical charges.
2. Negative charges can … from one place or object to another.
3. An object with the same number of positive and negative
charges is …
4. Objects with opposite charges … each other.
5. Objects with the same charges … each other.
Answers: 1. two. 2. move. 3. neutral. 4. attract. 5. repel.
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Vocabulary
Content objectives: 3, 4, 8. conductor, conducting wire, electric circuit, electrical component,
Language objectives: 3, 4. electrical current, electricity, flow, generator, insulator, switch

Electrical current and electric circuits

■ Special attention
LOOK AND READ
1. Electrical current 27 • Electrical current transmits electrical
insulator
Electrical current is the flow of electrical charges. (plastic)
energy (electricity)
It transmits energy called electricity.
Electrical current flows differently, depending on
the type of material through which it flows. conductor ■ Hands on
• 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,
Conductors and insulators
wood and rubber.
• Build a simple electric circuit with a 9V
2. Electric circuits 28 Wires are made up of conductors (copper) and insulators battery, a small light bulb and three
(plastic).
An electric circuit consists of different components wires, leaving the circuit open at the
connected to each other to allow the flow of
an electrical current.
end of two of the wires.
conducting
The four basic components of an electric circuit are: wire • Ss predict which of the following
• A generator, which is the source of electricity, generator objects are conductors or insulators,
such as an electrical plant or a battery
• An electrical component, such as a light bulb switch
and record their predictions: a wooden
or a motor
receiver
block, a paper clip, a plastic cup, a
• Conducting wires
rubber band, a coin, a nail, a piece of
• A switch to control the flow of electrical current.
A switch in the on position closes the circuit and aluminium foil, a cotton ball, a tack, a
allows the flow of electrical current. A switch in the piece of plasticine.
off position opens the circuit and breaks the flow An electric circuit
of electrical current. • Test objects using the electric circuit by
touching the object with both ends of
the wires. (Be sure the ends do not
bulb mains
touch each other.) Record results.
switch • Ask Ss to come up with a conclusion:
plug electric current flows easily through
Electrical current flows easily through conductors. most metallic objects.
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.

Electrical current does not flow easily through insulators. ■ Presentation

ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM 21
/ An electrical circuit is open when the switch is off.
• LOOK AND READ Ss read 1 and listen to 49 .
Point to the photo of wires. Ask: Why do
■ CONTENT AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT you think wires are built this way? (They
allow electrical current to flow, but need to
True or false? Ss decide if they are true or false, be safe to handle.) Write two columns on
and correct them if necessary. BB: conductors and insulators. Ask Ss to
1. Electrical current flows easily through conductors. give examples.
2. Rubber is a conductor. • Focus attention on the electric circuit
3. Electrical current does not flow easily through insulators. pictures. Ss read 2 while listening to 50
and identify the electric circuit components
4. Most metals are insulators.
in the pictures. Draw equivalent electric
5. An electric circuit has four basic components. circuit diagrams with symbols on BB.
6. When the switch is on, it opens the electric circuit.
• Ask: Can you think of some simple electric
Answers: 1. True. 2. False. Rubber is an insulator. circuits in this room? At home? Ask Ss to
3. True. 4. False. Most metals are conductors. 5. True. describe an electric circuit and draw the
6. False. It closes the electric circuit. corresponding diagram.

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Content objectives: 5, 6, 8.
Language objectives: 3, 5, 6.
■ Hands on
An electromagnet?
• In pairs, Ss construct electromagnets
with a nail, a battery and a wire.
• Ask Ss to wind the wire around the nail
about 50 times, leaving room at each
end. Next, ask them to make a closed
circuit by attaching the free ends of the
wire to the battery. Then tell Ss to test
their electromagnet by sticking the nail
into a pile of paper clips. Ss record
their results.
• Ask Ss to wind the wire around the nail
an additional 30 times. Ss place their
electromagnets in the pile of paper
clips again, and record results.
• Ss share observations and results.
Conclusion: the strength of the
electromagnet increases with the
number of times the wire is wound
round the nail.
■ Presentation
• READ Present 1 with 51 . Ask Ss to provide
examples of objects which are attracted to
magnets.
• Ask: How are electrical charges and
magnets similar? (Opposite charges attract;
opposite poles of magnets also attract.)
• READ Ss read 2 with 52 . Show the photo
of the magnetic field; iron filings arrange
themselves around the magnet showing
the magnetic field that is, in real life,
three-dimensional.
• Ss describe the second photo. Present 3
with 53 and ask: How are magnets and
electromagnets different? (Electromagnets
need electricity to work.)
• Ask: Can you name some uses of magnets?
Write the answers on BB. Present 4 with
54 .
➔ R and E ➔ Activity Book, page 21.
52
Vocabulary
artificial, coil, electric motor, electromagnet, generator, magnet, magnetic field,
magnetic recording media, magnetic strip, magnetism, natural, north, pole, south
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.
Two, natural and artificial. M.A. What happens when
you place together the opposite poles of two magnets?
22 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
They attract each other.
■ CONTENT AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Comprehension. Ss read the definitions and complete.
1. An object which can attract other objects made of iron or
mixtures of iron is called a …
2. When the opposite poles of two magnets are placed together
they …
3. When the same poles of two magnets are placed together they …
4. The area around a magnet affected by magnetic forces
is called a …
5. A conducting wire wrapped around a piece of iron which acts as
a magnet when an electrical current flows through the wire is
called an …
Answers: 1. magnet. 2. attract each other. 3. repel each other.
4. magnetic field. 5. electromagnet.
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Vocabulary
Content objectives: 7. consumption, generation, high-tension power transmission line,
Language objectives: 5, 6. power plant, power station, substation, transmission, turbine
Electricity
LOOK AND READ
1. Electricity production
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
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
Power lines distribute electricity to homes, offices and
industries. It is used by different appliances to produce:
• Heat: for example, radiators
• Movement: for example, washing machines
• Light: for example, computers
• Sound: for example, doorbells
A hydroelectric power plant
What do power stations produce?
Write questions beginning with the following words: What …? Where …? How …?
Electricity. M.A. What moves a turbine? Where does
energy transformation take place? How is electricity
distributed?
■ CONTENT AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Comprehension. Ss answer these questions.
1. What moves a turbine?
2. What is the turbine connected to?
3. How do they work?
4. Where are substations located?
5. What is another name for the electrical power lines which
transmit the electricity generated at a power station to
substations?
Answers: 1. water, steam or wind. 2. a generator. 3. When the
turbine rotates, the generator converts mechanical energy into
electricity. 4. near populated areas. 5. high-tension power
transmission lines.
Página 53
Electricity generation, transmission
and consumption
Generating electricity
30
Transmitting electricity
Consuming electricity
ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
■ Hands on
Hydro power
• Cut off the top of a juice carton. Punch
three holes vertically in the centre of
the carton, each 3 cm apart. Cover all
three holes with tape.
• Put the carton on the edge of the sink,
with the side with the holes pointing
towards the sink. Mark a line near the
top, and fill with water up to the line.
• Remove the tape and measure how far
away each of the streams hits the sink.
• Cover all the holes again. Put the
carton back on the sink edge. Refill
the carton to the line and remove the
tape from the first hole only. Measure
how far the stream goes. Repeat with
the second and third holes.
• Ask Ss to explain the experiment.
(Water has weight; more weight
produces greater water pressure.)
■ Presentation
• LOOK AND READ Show the photo of the
hydroelectric power plant. Ask: How do you
think electricity is produced at this dam?
23 (Electricity is created from the force of the
running water by using a water turbine and
a generator.) What kind of source of energy
is it? (renewable)
• Ss read 1–3 while they listen to 55 , 56 ,
and 57 , and then look at the photos. Ask
them to explain how electricity travels from
the power station to its destination. Ask:
Can you name other types of power
stations? (solar, nuclear, fossil fuel,
biomass, etc.)
➔ R and E ➔ Activity Book, page 22.
Electricity and pollution. Electricity is a
clean form of energy because no toxic
waste is produced when we use it.
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Are the following sentences true or false?

If they are false, correct them.

1. Electrical current flows easily through conductors.

2. Rubber is a conductor.

3. Electrical current does not flow easily through insulators.

4. Most metals are insulators.

5. An electric circuit has four basic components.

6. When the switch is on, it opens the electric circuit.

5. True. 6. False. It closes the electric circuit.

Answers: 1. True. 2. False. Rubber is an insulator. 3. True. 4. False. Most metals are conductors.

54 ESSENTIAL SCIENCE 6 • Photocopiable material © Richmond Publishing - Santillana Educación, S. L.

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Read the definitions and write the corresponding words.

1. An object which can attract other objects made of iron or mixtures

of iron is called a

2. When the opposite poles of two magnets are placed together they

3. When the same poles of two magnets are placed together they

4. The area around a magnet affected by magnetic forces is called

a

5. A conducting wire wrapped around a piece of iron which acts as a magnet when
an electrical current flows through the wire is called an

Answers: 1. magnet. 2. attract each other. 3. repel each other. 4. magnetic field. 5. electromagnet.

ESSENTIAL SCIENCE 6 • Photocopiable material © Richmond Publishing - Santillana Educación, S. L. 55