Unit 4: Physical Science - Electricity and Magnetism

Web Links and Ideas

What are Web Links and Ideas?

Occasionally you will find instructions in Nova Scotia Science AE Chemistry that direct you to the Internet for a particular resource. We've developed this page, so that you will always be able to reach safe, reliable and continuously updated resources. Everything is correlated to the Nova Scotia Science AE Chemistry pages for your convenience.

This Web Link and Ideas page also provides plenty of extra Internet links as additional resources.

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Static Electricity - loads of shocking information!

• What is Electricity? - clear explanation of electricity basics. Part of the Energy Story site.
• Static Electricity - a good explanation of static electricity, with suggestions for experiments too.
• The Science of Static Electricity - excellent diagrams illustrating the behaviour of charges, static attraction and repulsion.
• What is Static Electricity? - a clear explanation; it includes some projects too.
• Static Electricity - if you would like a challenge, here is a much more detailed description of how static electricity works.
• How Electricity Works - goes much further than just static, great site!
• How Shocking - a wonderful PBS site that allows you to experience Ben Franklin's experiments.

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Static Activities - interesting projects;

• Remote Control Roller - Can you explain the static electricity secret behind how it works? When you've mastered the roller, move on to the Super Sparker!
• Hands-On Activities - Jefferson's Labs presents a bunch of great static experiments you can do with your Van de Graff generator.

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Electricity Virtual Labs - there are a lot of simulations out there to try!

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Van de Graaff Generators - how they work and what you can do with them:

• Van de Graaff generators in the classroom - a good discussion of theory, and excellent safety advice.
• How Van de Graaff Generators Work - all the details here!
• History of the Van de Graaff Generator - very cool old pictures.
• Van de Graaff Electrostatic Generator Page - covers everything you could want to know about VDGs, including how to make your own.
• Van de Graaff Generator - an encyclopedia of information!

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An Ampere is Equivalent to One Coloumb per Second - a single ampere is equivalent to MANY electrons passing a point per second in a circuit. Visit these links for a complete explanation of the ampere:

• 6.28 Billion Billion electrons per second? - yes, that's right!
• What is a Coulomb? - a definition, and how it relates to the ampere.
• Voltage and Current - adjust the voltage in this circuit and watch the simulated change in current.

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Current Electricity - electricity that flows continuously:

• Direct Current (DC) Electricity - discusses the difference between static and current, and also animates current electricity.
• The Current - a clear explanation.

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Circuits, Voltage and Current - depending on the circuit and load devices, voltage and current will vary.

• Circuits - very good circuit basics. Part of the Energy Story site.
• Voltage and Current Explained - a water analogy.

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Dry Cell - you can see innards of an alkaline cell clearly in this graphic.

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Cells and Batteries - when you need portable electricity, here is your solution:

• Stored Energy and Batteries - a clear explanation of battery basics. Part of the Energy Story site.
• Battery Power - a page that describes several battery types in detail.
• Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation - a great deal of rechargeable recycling info and teaching resources.
• How Batteries Work - the basics, the chemistry, the reactions - it's all here!
• Scientific American: How Do Rechargeable Batteries Work? - a clear explanation for you here.
• Wet Cell - diagram and more!

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Conductors, Semiconductors, Superconductors and Resistors - current movement depends on the material:

• Conduction - a very good explanation of why substances conduct - part of the interesting "Transistorized!" site at PBS.
• How Semiconductors Work - clear explanations of different forms of semiconductors.
• What is superconductivity?
• Superconductivity Basics
• A Teacher's Guide to Superconductivity
• Superconductors.org
• How Light Emitting Diodes Work - good explanation! You may also want to visit the semiconductor explanation, and the page devoted to diodes at the excellent "Transistorized!" site at PBS.
• Resistor Colour Code - what do all those bands mean? Find out using this interactive simulation.
• Resistance at the Molecular Level - wouldn't it be neat if we could see the electrons and atoms interacting to produce the heat energy that is the result of resistance? This page gives us the next best thing! Adjust the current and watch what happens.

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Current Flow and Ohm's Law - resistors are a good way to control current:

• Current Flow and Ohm's Law - a slick java applet will help you understand.
• Ohm's Law example problems - NASA
• Ohms Law Calculators - does the work for you!

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Ohm's Law - several online activites to experiment with:

• Ohm's Law - try this wonderful Java applet that allows you to adjust resistance and voltage on a realistic looking circuit board. Can you predict what the milliamp reading will be?
• Virtual Laboratory: Voltage - need some help understanding Ohm's Law? Try this circuit simulator that allows you to manipulate batteries and resistors. When you are done with the first one, there is another circuit to try. Then you can try the worksheet!
• Ohm's Law - this is a colourful simulation that lets you manipulate resistance and voltage in a simple circuit.

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Ohm Zone - incredible simulator that lets you build circuitry to your heart's content, then you can measure current and resistance in the circuit with the provided meters. To really drive the concept home, click the "visualize" button to see the current move in your circuit! Three worksheets can be used with this simulation:

• Voltage in Circuits
• Basic Series
• Basic Parallel

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Series, Parallel and Combination Circuits - good descriptions with diagrams, part of the Fundamentals of Electricity site.

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Power and Energy - how many watts is your computer rated at?

• What is Energy? - a clear explanation of energy types. Part of the Energy Story site.
• Watt's a Joule? - an entertaining introduction to the concept of energy, but discusses power as well.
• What's a Watt? - a very slick calculator to help you better relate to an amount of electric energy.
• Energy - learn about many aspects of energy with this interactive Shockwave module.

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Read that Meter - how do I do it?

• How to Read Your Meter - B.C. Hydro tells you how.
• Reading Your Electric Meter - several good examples.

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Electrical Safety - all sorts of tips to keep you safe:

• Electrocution - vivid examples of electrocutions; you must be very safe at the work site.
• Electrical Safety Forum - has a little bit of everything; electrical safety tips and stories of electrical dangers.

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Electrical Safety Publications - more tips to keep you safe:

• Electrical Safety Publications - a large list of pages and downloadable documents that detail electrical dangers and tips.
• Electrical Safety: Basic Information - great tips suitable for printing.

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Lightning - get the incredibly shocking story!

• Global Hydrology and Climate Center: Lightning and Atmoshperic Electricity Research - the leading authority on electricity in the atmosphere.
• National Lightning Safety Institute - the leading authority on lightning safety.
• Lightning Kills, Play It Safe - make sure you read the survivor stories - absolutely fascinating!
• Lightning: An Example of a Natural Capacitor - how charges build up and interact in a storm.

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Reducing Energy Waste - there are many ways to reduce electricity consumption:

• Office of Energy Efficiency - tons of efficiency information. By clicking on the "Appliances" link, you can get all sorts of purchasing and usage tips.
• Natural Resources Canada Energy Publications - reduce that waste!
• EnerGuide Program - a good description of all the benefits of EnerGuide.
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - a huge portal.

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Energy Conservation - the best way to save energy is to not use it in the first place!

• PowerSmart: Easy Tips to Save Money and the Planet - the title says it all.
• Home Energy Saving Tips - great ideas.

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Unit Practice Quiz - want a bit of extra electricity unit practice? Try this quiz.