This Topic is About...

• I will use a fair test to group objects into conductors and insulators of electricity.
• I will identify risks and carry out practical work safely.
• I will make predictions and find out if results support or do not support my predictions.
• I will describe simple patterns in results and make conclusions from the results.

You’re going to be a science explorer!

 

Key Words

• conductor
• insulator

Let’s Investigate!

Question: Which materials conduct electricity?

Equipment: One piece of plastic-covered wire with a crocodile clip on one end, a screwdriver, a 1.5V cell in a cell holder with a crocodile clip on the end of one of the wires, a 1.5V lamp in a lamp holder, objects made of different materials

Safety Notes:

• If you have to cut the plastic off the ends of the wires, use a wire stripper. Grip the wire in your left hand and strip off the plastic away from you.
• When the circuit is complete, do not touch any bare electric wires. Always hold the plastic-covered wire.

Questions:

1. Why is it important to cut away from you?
2. How can you strip the plastic off the wires safely?
3. Why must you not touch bare wires when the circuit is complete?

Step 1:

• Attach the end of the wire from the cell holder which doesn’t have a crocodile clip to one side of the lamp holder.
• Use the screwdriver to loosen the screw of the lamp holder and then tighten it after you have wound the wire around. Use tape to attach the wires to the cell.
• Attach the separate piece of wire to the other side of the lamp holder. Again, attach the end which doesn’t have a crocodile clip to the lamp.

Step 2:

• Check that your circuit works. Hold the wires and clips where they are covered in plastic. Allow the crocodile clips to touch.
• If the lamp lights up, the circuit is complete. If the lamp does not light up, there is a break in the circuit. Check that you have connected the wires properly.
• If you separate the crocodile clips, you break the circuit and the lamp goes out. This is your testing equipment. You will use the same testing equipment to see which materials allow electricity to pass through.
• Before you begin, predict which materials will allow electricity to pass through and which will not. Record your predictions in a table like the one below. Place a tick ✓ in the 2nd or 3rd column.

Step 3:

• Test each material. Hold one crocodile clip at one end of the object. Hold the second crocodile clip at the other end of the object.
• If the lamp does not light up you can try again to make sure.
• Record your results by placing ticks ✓ in the last two columns of your table.

Material	Prediction	Result
Material 1	Conductor Insulator	Conductor Insulator
Material 2	Conductor Insulator	Conductor Insulator
Material 3	Conductor Insulator	Conductor Insulator

Reflection: How am I doing?

• How well did your results support your predictions?
• How did you make sure that the test was fair?
• Identify a pattern of which materials are conductors and which are insulators.
• Did any materials not fit this pattern? If so, identify the material.
• What conclusion can you make from your results?
• Which two types of scientific enquiry have you practised in this activity?
• Why are lightning conductors made from copper?

How am I doing?

• How many stars (★, ★★, ★★★, ★★★★) would you give yourself for these skills?
• Can I identify and describe a pattern in results?
• Can I make a conclusion from results that answer the question?