GRADE: Sixth

CONTENT STANDARD: Physical Science

CONTENT TOPIC: Transformation of Energy

CONCEPT: Electricity can be harmful.

CONTENT OBJECTIVE: 6C6.00 To understand the importance of observing safety rules in the use of electricity

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: The learner will:

6.01 demonstrate the appropriate respect for electricity.
6.02 identify hazardous use of electricity.

I. Violation of safety rules
II. Hazardous use of electricity

TN COMPONENT OF SCIENCE: Process of Science

TN GOAL:

To enable students to demonstrate the processes of science by posing questions and investigating phenomena through language, methods and instruments of science.

1.3 COLLECTING DATA - The acquiring, recording, arranging and storing of information must be performed in a complete, accurate, concise and user-friendly manner.

1.3a Data are collected using the senses, instrumentation, and a variety of other technologies.

BENCHMARK: The reading and interpretation of measuring instruments are necessary in determining length, volume, weight, elapsed time, rates, and temperature.

1.3c Safety features should be observed in all areas of data collection.

BENCHMARK: Safety procedures are introduced prior to and practiced during all data collection.

TIME REQUIRED:

45 minutes

Props for safety commercial

In our last lesson we learned about producing electricity and its importance. Today, we will discuss the practice of safety rules when using electricity.

Even though electricity is very familiar to you, you must always be cautious with it.

Heat is produced by electricity. If too much current is flowing through a wire, the wire may become so hot that a fire starts. This can be caused if too many appliances are plugged into the outlet and used at the same time. Circuit breakers can prevent this.

A current can also overheat if there is a short circuit. A short circuit occurs when two wires in a cord accidentally touch. Most of the time cords are covered by insulation. The insulation keeps the wires from touching.

If the insulation becomes damaged, this creates an area of low resistance and if a large current goes through this area, there will be rapid over-heating and possibly result in a fire. Repair damaged insulation immediately.

Water and electricity are always a dangerous combination. Water conducts electricity. You should never use electric appliances or touch sources of electricity such as light bulbs, sockets, or outlets while in contact with water.

Any wire connected to a voltage is called a live wire. You should never touch a live wire. If you do, your body will become part of a circuit. A large current will flow through you and into the ground. Live wires often fall to the ground because of storms or accidents. Never touch a live wire. Call the power company immediately.

(The following activities are suggested:

1. Ask someone from your local power company to bring a meter and demonstrate how to read it.

2. Ask your local power company for information about electric safety and what to do in an electrical emergency.

3. Divide the class into groups of four. Write and perform your own commercial about electrical safety.

4. Materials: One dry cell battery (6 volts), a small light bulb and socket, 1 large cork, 2 straight pins, a piece of thin metal foil (remove the paper backing of a gum wrapper) 3 cm long copper wire (approximately 80 cm), wire strippers.)

What to do: Cut the wire into 4 pieces, each 20 cm long. Prepare the wires by stripping the insulation off both ends so the copper wire is exposed. Carefully cut the small piece of thin metal foil in a wishbone shape. This will be the fuse. The center section should be very thin. Use 2 straight pins to stick the piece of metal foil into the cork. Using one 20 cm piece of wire, connect a dry cell battery terminal to one of the pins. Connect another wire to the other pin and the light socket. Connect the other side of the light socket to the other dry cell battery terminal with another piece of wire. What happened? (response) Now take the remaining piece of wire and touch one end to the straight pin connected to the socket. Touch the other end to the battery terminal connected to the light socket. This is a SHORT CIRCUIT. What happened to the light? (response) What happened to the fuse? (response)

Write down these five electrical practices:

1. Do not use worn electrical cords.

2. Disconnect heating devices, such as irons, when not in use.

3. Do not connect too many appliances to one outlet.

4. Do not touch electrical appliances while in water or wet.

5. NEVER touch a "live" wire.

We need to be very careful when working or playing around electrical power lines and appliances. List at least two safety rules we discussed today when doing activity 3. (pause, then summarize)

List one of the 5 electrical practices and explain why you would practice this for safety.

(If number 1 of Active Participation was done) Explain to each other how to read a meter.

This is the time this file has been accessed since 02/25/98.

The University of Tennessee at Martin is not responsible for the information or views expressed here.

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