Let's learn a bit about electricity and how we can stay safe around it.
Watch and learn
Let's find out about electricity.
It looks like we’re having a party. But what do they need to get this party started?
Title: Electricity
When we say electricity, we are really describing electrical energy.
Some thing need electricity to make them work in our homes. A television. A washing machine. A toy. A mobile phone. A computer. A vacuum cleaner. And outside, as well. Traffic lights. Automatic doors. Escalators.
Lots of the electricity we use comes from plugging things into power sockets.
Some thing use batteries for their power. When we turn on a battery-powered toy, the different materials inside the battery make the electricity that the toy needs to work. Batteries are useful ways to store energy until it’s needed.
The power inside a battery doesn’t last for ever, though. When a battery runs out of energy, you need to replace it with a new one.
Some batteries in the things we use can be recharged by plugging them into the wall socket. This means that they can be used again and again and not thrown away. This means less waste, and is better for our planet.
Electricity can be dangerous so we must always be careful around plugs, sockets, batteries, and electrical appliances. Never touch a socket. The materials inside a battery will make you feel very ill if swallowed or put in your mouth. The hard outer shell of a battery keeps us safe. Always ask an adult for help with electricity.
The electricity we use in our homes can be produced in lost of different ways. In power stations. From solar panel that convert sunlight into electrical energy. The wind turning these blades, or the movement of sea waves can be converted into electrical energy.
When used safely, electricity makes lots of the things we enjoy work.
Powered by electricity
Lots of toys and other things need electricity to make them work.
Where do you get electricity from?
Some things use electricity that comes from a Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. pushed into an electrical Check your connection, refresh the page and try again..
This is called Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.. It works well for things that need a lot of electricity or that don't have to move.
Others use electricity that comes from a Check your connection, refresh the page and try again..
Batteries are good for smaller objects that you need to carry or move around.
Let's look at some of those objects again, Do you know which use a plug and which use batteries?
Batteries
Batteries can run out of power.
When this happens we need to:
- use new batteries
or
- Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. the old batteries
When we recharge a battery we fill it back up with electricity.
We normally use a charger that plugs in to an electrical socket.
Only some batteries can be recharged.
It can be dangerous to try and recharge a non-rechargeable
Sun and wind power
Some things can use the sun or wind to make their electricity!
Image caption, sun power
The dancing panda and street lamp use the sun to power them. Both have solar cells that electricity flows through when the sun shines on them.
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Safety rules
Electricity is very important as we need it for lots of things but it can be very dangerous and it is important to keep yourself safe.
Here are some safety rules:
Activity
Try this electricity experiment!
Can you match objects to where they get their electricity from?
You will need:
- pictures of everyday objects
Watch the video to find out what to do!
Watch this video to find out what to do!
Quiz
More on Forces, electricity and waves
Find out more by working through a topic
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