Science 4th grade | UNIT 5: Electricity and magnetism 5.6 Mains electricity

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Words to learn

mains electricity - appliance - wall socket - electric shock - copper - overload

So far you have been using cells and components with voltages between 1.5V and 3 V. These are safe to use. At home we have mains electricity.
This uses a much higher voltage (over 100 V). The exact voltage depends on your country. We use mains electricity for lights. We also use mains electricity to power an electrical appliance. Appliances must be plugged into a wall socket. Always turn a switch off before you take out a plug.
If mains electricity flows through your body you will get an electric shock. Mains electricity can also cause a fire if the plastic wears off the copper wires.
Electricity is only dangerous if you don't use it properly.

We can use mains electricity to charge new electric cars

The lights in Hong Kong use a lot of electricity

Safety rules

Dry your hair outside the bathroom. Never use electrical appliances when your hands are wet or when you are in the bath. You could easily get an electric shock

Never push anything, especially your fingers or a metal object, into a wall socket. You could get an electric shock

Look at the picture of the Mbatha family's kitchen.

*** (Do not plug too many appliances into one socket. They will overload the socket and cause a fire.)

1) Why should Thabo's mother dry her hands before she plugs in the toaster?
2) What is Thabo doing wrong at the wall socket?
3) Why is the wall socket behind the iron dangerous?

What you have learnt

- Mains electricity has a much stronger voltage than the electricity from cells.
- Never handle electrical appliances when you are wet.
- Follow the safety rules when using electricity.

Talk about it!

What dangerous uses of electricity have you seen?

Science 4th grade | UNIT 5: Electricity and magnetism 5.6 Mains electricity

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