Electricity+Webquest


 * I **** t's **** E **** lectric! **

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. ||
 * ** I **** ntroduction **

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. ||
 * ** Task **


 * ** Process **
 * STEP 1 – Research Electricity **

Find out about how electricity works. First, read through and complete the activity about simple circuits. [] Next, answer the following questions on your answer sheet using the provided link. [] 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. [] 4. Adding more batteries to a simple circuit will make the bulb __. 5. Adding more bulbs to a simple circuit will make the bulbs__.

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 with each activity, obtain the appropriate quiz from the teacher. Be sure to turn in your quiz so a teacher can grade it. You may not write your own score on your answer sheet. ||  ||  Activity  ||
 * STEP 2 – Experiment with Electricity **

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 * Changing Circuits –

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 * Circuits and Conductors –

Complete the Building Circuits exercise. Read through this activity carefully, paying close attention to the symbols used. [] Practice for your future in electronics by using the symbols you have learned about 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 20 points and must include the following: (DO NOT USE PICTURES, USE SYMBOLS) use in your diagram on the key) 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 4 points with a maximum of 20 points possible. ==
 * STEP 3 – Diagram a Circuit **
 * Your name
 * A drawing of the circuit with proper symbols including a power source
 * Arrows to show the direction of the current
 * Key that explains each symbol (Do NOT include symbols that you do not
 * Changing Circuits []
 * Electrical Symbols (be sure to look at the SYMBOLS, not the pictures) []

Each rule should be put into your own words.

 * Evaluation

This WebQuest is worth a maximum of 70 points. The points can be earned as follows:
 * STEP 1 Questions (10 points maximum)
 * Quizes (20 points maximum)
 * Circuit Diagram (20 points maximum)
 * Safety Rules (20 points maximum) ||

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 by continuing to research electricity. 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. ||
 * ** Conclusion **