Introduction to conductors and insulators:
Electricity is an essential part of our daily lives, and it’s important for students to learn about the different materials that allow it to flow through them. In this lesson, we will explore conductors and insulators and how they play a crucial role in our daily lives.
Explanation:
First, let’s ask some questions to get the students thinking about conductors and insulators. Do they have an iron at home? Can they recall what material the handle of the iron is made out of? Why is the handle of an electric iron made of plastic or wood? Have they ever seen a phone charger or TV cable? Can they recall what material the wires are made of?
The insides of the wires are mostly made out of copper, which is a good conductor of electricity. Copper wires are then covered with plastic or rubber, which are insulators. Insulators protect against the flow of electricity and heat, and that’s why electrical wires are covered in plastic or rubber.
Materials are of different kinds, and some conduct electricity while others don’t. The materials through which electric current can pass are called conductors, and the materials through which electric current can’t pass are called insulators. Metals, such as copper, brass, steel, gold, silver, and aluminum are good conductors of electricity. Gold and silver are the best conductors, but they are expensive, so they are not used in industries for the transmission of electricity.
Humans are also conductors, which is why we get electric shocks. Water also conducts electricity, so electrical objects should not be used near water. Insulators, on the other hand, resist the flow of electricity and protect against heat, sound, and electricity. Examples of insulators include wood, cloth, glass, plastic, and rubber. Plastic and rubber are good insulators, which is why electrical wires and switchboards are covered in plastic.
To check the students’ understanding, we can ask questions like “Does the electric current flow through all the materials?” and “Does it matter what material is used to build a switch?”
We can also ask the students to make two columns in their notebooks, with the headings “conductors” and “insulators.” They can write the definitions of conductors and insulators in their notebooks and then sort the items into conductors or insulators. They can do this exercise individually at first and then discuss it with their partners.
Conclusion of conductors and insulators:
In conclusion, conductors and insulators play a crucial role in our daily lives and understanding them is essential for students. By the end of this lesson, students will have a better understanding of what conductors and insulators are and how they are used in our daily lives.
2023-03-13
