Topic: How is a storm created?

Supplementary material for use in lessons in the group of natural sciences (nature, biology, chemistry, geography, physics), additional classes, science clubs. It can serve as a resource for expanding knowledge, preparing students for science competitions.

Target group

4th‑grade and 8th‑grade students (physics) of elementary school

Core curriculum

Grade VIII – physics
VI. Electricity. Pupil:

1) describes methods of electrifying bodies by rubbing and touching; indicates that these phenomena rely on the movement of electrons;
2) experimentally:
a) demonstrates electrification phenomena by rubbing or touching,
b) demonstrates the interaction of electrified bodies.

Grade IV
III. Weather, weather ingredients, weather observation. Pupil:
7) describes the principles of safe behavior during the occurrence of dangerous weather phenomena (storm, hurricane, snow blizzard)

General aim of education

Students discuss examples of electrical phenomena in nature and rules of behavior during a storm.

Key competences

• communication in foreign languages;

• digital competence;

• learning to learn.

Criteria for success
The student will learn:

• describe how lightning arises;

• explain what an atmospheric discharge is;

• exchange methods of electrifying bodies and give examples of this phenomenon.

Methods/techniques

• expository

  • talk.

• activating

  • discussion.

• programmed

  • with computer;

  • with e‑textbook.

• practical

  • exercices concerned.

Forms of work

• individual activity;

• activity in pairs;

• activity in groups;

• collective activity.

Teaching aids

• e‑textbook;

• notebook and crayons/felt‑tip pens;

• interactive whiteboard, tablets/computers;

• balloons;

• items needed to perform „Experience 2”: amber or ruler, piece of paper, piece of cotton fabric.

Lesson plan overview

Before classes

• Students get acquainted with the content of the abstract. They prepare to work on the lesson in such a way to be able to summarize the material read in their own words and solve the tasks themselves.

Introduction

• The teacher gives the topic, the goals of the lesson in a language understandable for the student, and the criteria of success.

Realization

• The lecturer announces the Task 1. He or she instructs the students to write a research question and a hypothesis in the form provided in the abstract. Then the students perform the experiment, record their observations and conclusions. The teacher points the person who shares his insights and explains the conclusions made..

• The teacher asks students to formulate the definition of electrifying bodies based on abstract and write them in notebooks.

• Students independently perform „Experience 2” and its result is documented using a drawing on which they describe electric charges. The teacher monitors the students' work and checks the correctness of the task.

• Students independently solve exercise No. 2.

• The teacher instructs students to read the section „How does lightning arise?” And then solve the interactive exercise No. 3.

• The teacher presents the illustrations placed in the „Gallery 1” instructing how to behave during the storm. Volunteers or students indicated by the teacher explain why the guidelines should be followed.

• Students independently perform interactive exercise No. 1.

Summary

• The teacher displays the criteria for success and asks the students to assess their skills acquired during the classes.

Homework

• Listen to the abstract recording at home. Pay attention to pronunciation, accent and intonation. Learn to pronounce the words learned during the lesson.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

How is a storm created?

The hair becomes electrified when it is rubbed with a comb or brush. Similarly, when we quickly remove the sweater, we hear crackling, and if it is dark, we can see sparks jumping. These phenomena are generally called static electricity. Let's conduct a simple experiment. We can use a piece of real amber for it, and if we do not have it, just a simple plastic ruler.

Electric charges are easily caused by rubbing one object with another.This charge does not move like in an electric wire, but stays in one place, which is why it is called electrostatic. These charges appear, among others, when combing hair or rubbing woolen clothes. The electric charge is most easily caused by rubbing an object with another one that is already electrified, or close by these bodies. You can also rub two non‑electrified objects against each other – then the charges appear on each of them.

Where does lightning come from? What in the clouds could generate electric charges?

Lightning strikes when there is a phenomenon of electrification in the cloud. The favorable conditions prevail only in storm clouds. The hot air rises, at the same time carrying water molecules with each other at high altitudes, where drops of water and ice crystals form. They collect electric charges in the air and dust. After all, the amount of charges generated is so large that there is a powerful electric discharge. This is called lightning.

Lightning, or more accurately atmospheric discharges, it is an extremely spectacular phenomenon, but very dangerous. Why? Atmospheric discharge is very powerful – it can generate a voltage up to several hundred million volts! So how should one behave to avoid being struck by lightning?

Lightning carries enormous energy. Its impact can damage homes and electrical appliances, cause fires. It carries a significant electric charge, which is why it is very dangerous for a human being. How to avoid a lightning strike? It must be remembered that lightning travels along the shortest path connecting the cloud to the ground, so that it can be discharged as soon as possible. Operating electrical devices or large metal structures can attract lightning because they are good electrical conductors. Fortunately, the sounds of thunder can be heard from a distance, so we have time to get ready.

• By rubbing your objects against each other, you can generate electric charges on their surface.

• One of the effects of electrifying bodies is the accumulation of electric charges in storm clouds and lightning strikes.

• During a storm, be careful and follow specific rules.