Topicm09365abc34ab5d90_1528449000663_0Topic

Electric conductors and insulators. Electric current flow in conductors

Levelm09365abc34ab5d90_1528449084556_0Level

Second

Core curriculumm09365abc34ab5d90_1528449076687_0Core curriculum

VI. Electricity. The student:

3) distinguishes conductors from insulators and shows examples of them.

Timingm09365abc34ab5d90_1528449068082_0Timing

45 minutes

General learning objectivesm09365abc34ab5d90_1528449523725_0General learning objectives

Presenting differences between conductors and insulators.

Key competencesm09365abc34ab5d90_1528449552113_0Key competences

1. Introduction to the structure of conductors.

2. Introduction to the structure of insulators.

3. Explanation why electric currentelectric currentelectric current flow is possible only in conductors.

Operational (detailed) goalsm09365abc34ab5d90_1528450430307_0Operational (detailed) goals

The student:

- knows the structure of conductors and insulators,

- can formulate conditions of electric currentelectric currentelectric current flow in metallic conductors and liquids.

Methodsm09365abc34ab5d90_1528449534267_0Methods

1. Problem lecture.

2. Organising and applying obtained results in new tasks of practical or theoretical nature.

Forms of workm09365abc34ab5d90_1528449514617_0Forms of work

1. Individual or group work.

2. Cooperation of students with the teacher during problem lecture.

Lesson stages

Introductionm09365abc34ab5d90_1528450127855_0Introduction

Answer the introductory questions for the lesson:

1. What is each body built of?

2. Describe the structure of the atom.

3. What determines the number of electrons orbiting the atomic nucleus?

Procedurem09365abc34ab5d90_1528446435040_0Procedure

What is a conductorconductorconductor?

The conductorconductorconductor is a body in which electrons orbiting the atomic nucleus are weakly bound to the atomic nucleus. The electrons in the outermost orbits can move freely throughout the body.

[Illustration 1]

Let's take a closer look at the structure of conductors.

- The most commonly used conductors are metals. Atoms are placed in them regularly. They have no freedom of movement. The force of their mutual interactions holds them at constant distances and allows only slight vibrations.
- The electrons that are farthest from the atomic nucleus (so‑called valence electrons) can easily detach themselves from their atoms, and because the forces acting on these electrons from all metal atoms are balanced, these electrons can move freely in the entire volume of the conductorconductorconductor.
- They belong to the entire conductorconductorconductor, not just the parent atoms. Other electrons, those closer to the atomic nuclei, are unable to break free and remain at their parent atoms.

[Illustration 2]

So it is in metals. But not only there the charges are free to move. Another example of conductors are electrolytes, i.e. solutions of acids, bases and salts. Water molecules act on the molecules of acids, bases and salts like scissors - they cut them into parts, one of which is a positive ion and the other a negative ion. Like water molecules, they are free to move. In a liquid (not like in metals) there are no forces that could hold particles in place.m09365abc34ab5d90_1527752256679_0So it is in metals. But not only there the charges are free to move. Another example of conductors are electrolytes, i.e. solutions of acids, bases and salts. Water molecules act on the molecules of acids, bases and salts like scissors - they cut them into parts, one of which is a positive ion and the other a negative ion. Like water molecules, they are free to move. In a liquid (not like in metals) there are no forces that could hold particles in place.

[Illustration 3]

What is an insulatorinsulatorinsulator?

The insulatorinsulatorinsulator is a body in which electrons orbiting the nucleus are strongly bound to the nucleus and absolutely cannot move throughout the body. In certain situations, they can move slightly within the volume of an atom.

[Illustration 4]

Insulators are materials whose internal structure is characterized by the fact that electrons are very strongly bound to atoms. They cannot easily break away from atoms and do not have the possibility of free movement within the body. They can be charged by friction - then some electrons detach from atoms and move to the surface of other body. Insulators include among others glass, porcelain, plastic, wood, rubber, distilled water, dry air.

[Interactive graphics]

What is the electric currentelectric currentelectric current?

We already know that bodies, which as a whole are electrically neutral, hide within themselves charges of both signs. We also know that there are bodies called conductors, where some of these charges (electrons or ions) are free to move. The movement of these charge carriers is chaotic. However, if an external factor arranges the movement of charges, we deal with electric current.m09365abc34ab5d90_1527752263647_0We already know that bodies, which as a whole are electrically neutral, hide within themselves charges of both signs. We also know that there are bodies called conductors, where some of these charges (electrons or ions) are free to move. The movement of these charge carriers is chaotic. However, if an external factor arranges the movement of charges, we deal with electric current.

[Illustration 5]

Lesson summarym09365abc34ab5d90_1528450119332_0Lesson summary

- Depending how easy bodies conduct electricity, we divide them into conductors and insulators.

- The internal structure determines the electrical properties of the bodies. Valence electrons play an important role.

- The valence electron is the electron located on the last (outermost) shell of the atom. The number of valence electrons and how strongly they are bound to the nucleus of an atom affect many of the physical properties of the element, including thermal and electrical conductivity.

- The conductivity can be electronic or ionic.

- The electric current conductorconductorconductor is the body in which the electric charge is carried by the valence electrons. The metallic conductors include mainly metals, like copper, aluminium, iron and gold.

- In the ionic conductorconductorconductor, the charge carriers are positive or negative ions. The flow of electric current is accompanied by visible mass transport. Electrolytic conductivity occurs in liquids, solids and gases.

- An insulatorinsulatorinsulator is a substance that does not conduct electricity and is characterized by low concentration of charge carriers. Insulators include among others: rubber, polystyrene, dry wood, distilled water and dry air.

Selected words and expressions used in the lesson plan

conductorconductorconductor

insulatorinsulatorinsulator

free electronsfree electronsfree electrons

electric currentelectric currentelectric current

charge movementcharge movementcharge movement

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electric current1
electric current

prąd elektryczny

R1BlE7x69L5Tq1
wymowa w języku angielskim: electric current
conductor1
conductor

przewodnik

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wymowa w języku angielskim: conductor
insulator1
insulator

izolator

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wymowa w języku angielskim: insulator
free electrons1
free electrons

wolne elektrony

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wymowa w języku angielskim: free electrons
charge movement1
charge movement

ruch ładunku

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wymowa w języku angielskim: charge movement