This document discusses electrical current, conductors, and insulators. It defines electrical current as the flow of electrons from atom to atom, measured in amps. It also explains that current requires a voltage source and flow is analogous to water flow from a tap. The document distinguishes between direct current from batteries and alternating current from power stations. It describes a lab activity to test different materials as conductors or insulators using a light bulb and power source.

1. Current, Conductors and
Insulators
Electrical!

2. Source of Electricity
Measured in volts.
Possible sources of electricity:

3. Current
Electrical current is produced when electrons
move from atom to atom through a material.
Current is measured in amperes (A) or amps
for short and one ampere is equal to 1
coulomb of charge (6.25x1018 electrons)
moving past a given point in 1 second.

4. Analogy to help you remember
Garden Hose
The voltage, or the force, causing the electrical current
to flow is similar to the water pressure from the water
tap. When the tap is opened the water pressure
increases and the amount of water flow will also
increase.
Similarly the amount of electrical current will increase if
the voltage is increased. If the tap is closed there will be
no water flow and the same is true for electrical
current – if there is no power source there will be no
current.

5. Direct Current (DC)
• One direction
• Batteries

6. Alternating Current (AC)
• Switches direction (back and forth)
• From generation stations to houses

7. Lab Activity
• Make a current tester (power
source, bulb, wire)
• Test materials provided – zinc, desk, water in
beaker, oil, soil, wire, pencil, etc.
Material Did it make light
bulb go on?
Notes
Zinc
Desk

8. Follow-Up Questions
1. Define conductor and insulator
2. Which of the materials you tested were
conductors? How do you know?
3. Which of the materials you tested were
insulators? How do you know?
4. What type of materials are conductors (in
general)?
5. What is a semi-conductor? What is one
application of a semi-conductor in real life?