It's Electric!
A WebQuest about Electricity
 

Introduction | Task | Process | Answer Sheet
Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction 

At 1:30 in the morning on a snowy night in January, the electricity suddenly goes out.   The house begins to get cold, so you bundle up with more blankets.  Then you realize that you may not be able to wake up in the morning if the electricity does not come back on soon because your alarm clock doesn't work without electricity.  And what about breakfast?  How will you cook that Pop Tart without electricity?  Hope you like cold showers because without electricity there is no way to warm the water in the water heater.

What comes to mind when you find yourself suddenly in complete darkness? Fear probably happens first. But when you see there is nothing to fear, you usually begin to have questions about electricity. It's easy to forget how much we rely on electricity until we don't have the use of it. 

What can you learn from studying electricity?  Where does electricity come from?  How does electricity make your alarm clock, toaster, and water heater work?  That is what you will find out in this WebQuest.

 

Task 

You have decided to find out how electricity works so that maybe you can come up with a way to get the power back on when the electricity goes out.  In order to do this, you must understand how electricity works by completing some research. 

At the end of your fact finding, you will become an expert ready to show off what you know with others.  So when the lights go out again, and they are sure to do so, you'll make others comforted in the knowledge you've given them.

One important fact to learn about electricity is how it flows in a circuit. This is where you will begin your research.
 

Process 

STEP 1  Research Electricity

Find out about how electricity works.  First, read through and complete the activity below about simple circuits.  When you have finished reading through the activity, exit out of that page to get back to this page.


Simple Circuits

Next, click on "Page 1" and "Page 4" below.  Read the information on these websites. As you are reading, you must answer the questions below on your answer sheet (worth 2 points each).  When you have finished answering the questions on each page, exit out the that page to get back to this page.

Found on Page 1
    1.    What does a complete circuit need to make electrical devices work?
    2.    Name two other electrical components that a circuit can have besides 
           a battery and wires.
    3.    True or False:  A circuit will work if it has a break in it. 

Found on Page 4
    4.   Adding more batteries to a simple circuit will make the bulb ______.
    5.   Adding more bulbs to a simple circuit will make the bulbs ______.

STEP 2  Experiment with Electricity

Complete the online activities below.  You may click on the Full Screen button to see a larger view of the activities.  Click on the blue arrows at the top to move through the activities.  When you are finished, exit out the activity to get back to this page.  Then click on the Quiz links below to take the quiz that goes with each activity.  Be sure to raise your hand after you have completed each one so A teacher can record your score for each quiz.  You may not write your own score on your answer sheet.

STEP 3  Diagram a Circuit

Complete the Building Circuits exercise.  Read through this activity carefully, paying close attention to the symbols that are used.  You can also use the websites listed below to find out more information about circuits.  After you have completed the activity above, exit out of that page to get back to this page.  Then practice for your future in electronics to create a diagram of a simple circuit on your answer sheet.  The circuit can be for a light, motor, or buzzer.  Choose only one of these items.  Your diagram is worth 10 points and must include the following:

     *  Your name
     *  A drawing of the circuit with proper labels including a power source
     *  Arrows to show the direction of the current
   

You can also find information about electrical symbols for circuits and information about building circuits at the websites listed below. 

Your diagram MUST be checked by your teacher before
moving on to STEP 4.

STEP 4  Electrical Safety

Electricity is a very widely used form of energy. We use it in the home and at school, in the workplace and for recreation. It can give us pleasure and comfort. However, it can also be dangerous. It can give us a shock, a burn, or even kill us.  Your next mission is to investigate how electricity is a danger to us in various situations and list safety rules about electricity on your answer sheet.  You must include at least five safety rules about electricity.  Each rule is worth 2 points with a maximum of 10 points possible.

You can find some good Electrical Safety rules at the websites listed below.  You may NOT copy these rules word for word.  You should put them in your
own words.  You must use correct spelling and grammar to get full credit.

Dairyland Power Cooperative

First Energy (click on the blue Play it Safe tab at the top of the page)

Evaluation 
This WebQuest is worth a maximum of 50 points.  The points can be earned as follows:

*  STEP 1 Questions (10 points maximum)

*  Online Quizes (20 points maximum)

*  Circuit Diagram (20 points maximum)

*  Safety Rules  (10 points maximum)

Conclusion  

You have acted on your puzzlement about electricity by researching and have found out about how electricity flows through circuits by completing this WebQuest.  Now that you have a good idea about what electricity is and ways to safely use it, you may want to expand your knowledge with the web sites included below.  Maybe one day you will be able to invent a circuit that will not break in bad weather to prevent the electricity from going out in the future.  You can research more about electricity from these other websites:

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