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How to Make
Electricity
V I R T UA L
EXPERIMENT
IDEAS
PARENTS’ GUIDE
ver. 1.0.3
SHALL WE TALK ABOUT
ELECTRICIT Y?
L AB 1
3
BATTERY
6
COILS & MAGNETS
9
L AB 2
HYDROELECTRIC
GENERATOR
L AB 3
10
THERMAL POWER
GENERATOR
12
LAB 4
14
SOLAR PANEL
DIY PROJECTS
FOR KIDS
16
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SHALL WE TALK ABOUT
ELECTRICITY?
Electricity is all around us. It can be both tremendously useful and
deathly dangerous. Everyone has some idea of what electricity
is, where it comes from, and how it works. Teaching kids about
electricity is not as difficult as it may seem. Once a child’s
imagination and curiosity is brought into play, great results can
be achieved.
For example, a fairytale about tiny little bees buzzing
around inside the wire and stinging anyone who dares to
bother them will be enough to ignite the imagination
of younger kids. Another suitable approach for
youngsters involves a story about tiny invisible
particles called electrons, followed by an
explanation of how they travel through
metal wires and jump into our appliances.
You might consider using our narration
template and reference materials to
convey your own story.
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Make your own story
3
1
Electrons are tiny
particles that live
inside metal wires.
They are invisible to
the naked eye. If no
one pokes electrons
they stay in their
place.
The battery accepts
electrons on one side,
gives them power to
run further, and then
pushes them out the
opposite side. That is
why we call batteries
an electric power
source.
2
When we connect a
wire to both sides of a
power source, such as
battery, electrons rush
in a certain direction.
The flow of electrons
running through
the wire is called an
electric current.
4
We use wires to
connect appliances to
the power source. This
is how the electric
current enters and
powers our appliances.
Utilize your child’s curiosity to draw his
or her attention towards the interaction
using scientific models, experiments,
or by participating in DIY projects.
For instance, a homemade battery
project is a great way to start exploring
electricity with children.
The app ‘How to Make Electricity’ is
more than just an experience to play
with generators and electric circuits.
In the science view mode you can
observe electrons flowing inside wires
and appliances. These animated and
interactive visual aids are the perfect
addition to your narration. You can also
use our simulations to verify yours and
your child’s hypothesis.
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?
Questions &
Discussion Topics
1
How many appliances are there in your
household? Pick the five you use most
frequently and explain why electricity is
needed for them to operate.
2
3
4
Wires are made of metal. However,
all wires are covered with isolation
material. Switches, power outlets, and
plugs are usually made of plastic. Do
you know why?
Imagine what could happen in the world
if electricity suddenly disappeared. Would
you be able to live without it? Which
activities would you have to give up? How
would it impact your everyday life?
You should never touch wires with wet
hands. Can you explain why?
Tips
Engage in debate games
with your child. Such
games promote cognitive
development, and teach
your kid to be a
good listener.
I like
Praise
how you
your child’s
think!
creativeness,
even in
the case when
answers and assumptions are
incorrect.
See also:
•Vintage educational video How Electricity Works
•Electricity for Kids
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LAB 1
BATTERY
Electrolytic Cell
In our everyday lives we use electrical power
produced by various types of batteries
without knowing much about how they work.
In the first lab, you can explore the structure
of the simplest kind of battery,
called voltaic or galvanic cell.
The core principle defining how
batteries work is quite simple. In
certain conditions we can detect
an electric current between two
plates made of different metals
while immersed in a special fluid.
The plates are called electrodes,
while the fluid is called an electrolyte.
However, you may wonder what makes
electrons travel through a wire from one
electrode to another? The explanation is in
the difference of electron affinities of metals.
One metal appears to be a better home for
the electrons from the other metal. This takes
place when both metals are immersed in an
electrolyte. The circuit connected to the
battery works as a long bridge for electrons
to flow from one electrode to another,
forming the electric current.
When electrodes are immersed
in the electrolyte, a chemical
reaction starts. Due to this
reaction, one electrode
becomes a birthplace for
electrons. At the same time,
the opposite electrode also
reacts with the electrolyte
and becomes a very attractive
destination for our newly born electrons.
Voltage is an important property of any
battery. Voltage reflects the level of
electrons’ desire to move from one electrode
to another. Different electrolytes and
electrode metals provide different voltages
for the battery.
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Electrochemical Series
Magnesium
Aluminum
The First Battery
Zinc
Iron
Copper Silver
The electrochemical series help us discover which
combination of metals provides a higher urge for
electrons to migrate. In other words, we discover
higher voltage. The wider the gap between the two
metals in the series, the higher the voltage they can
provide for the battery.
Electrolyte
Zinc
Copper
Gold
Print Collector | gettyimages
Lithium
1 Element
The voltaic pile was the first
electrical battery that could
continuously provide an electrical
current to a circuit.
The battery consisted of pairs
of copper and zinc disks piled
on top of each other, separated
by a layer of cloth or cardboard
soaked in brine.
See also:
•Penny battery
•Coin Battery Project
Alessandro Volta
Alessandro Volta was an Italian scientist. In
1800, Volta discovered the phenomenon of
contact electricity between two metals, what
led him to the invention of the early electrical
battery called Voltaic pile. Ever since Volta’s
invention, mankind has been developing batteries
with better properties. Even modern scientists
struggle to create an ideal battery. Why don’t
you give it a try yourself in our virtual lab?
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In lab 1 you will find a beaker with an
electrolyte. Use two crocodile connectors
fixed above the beaker to connect items made
of various metals. You can choose between
an aluminum fork, an iron nail, and a copper
key. Once the electrodes are put into place
you can switch to science view by using the
button in the upper-left corner to observe the
flow of electrons. The electric current will only
run in certain conditions (which you’ve yet to
discover).
Keep your eyes
on the voltmeter.
The voltmeter is an
instrument we use
to measure voltage.
Its blue pointer
moves left or right
depending on the
direction of the
electric current.
Experiments
Choose the best
combination of metals
to provide the highest
voltage.
Locate the combination
in the electrochemical
series and try to explain
why the selected
combination is the most
efficient.
Do you prefer water or
coke?
What do you think is
the difference between
them? Is there any water
in your coke?
Which electrolyte
produces higher
voltages?
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Salt helps water conduct
a better electric current.
In other words, salt force
electrons to swim faster
through water.
Try sprinkling some salt
into coke or water. Does
it make the battery work
differently?
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LABS 2 & 3
COILS & MAGNETS
Hydroelectric Generator
Thermal Power Generator
In labs 2 and 3, we can set up a number
of experiments to explore various ways
of generating electricity using a magnet
and wire coil.
the magnetic field near the wire begins
changing. The changing magnetic field
produces an electric current by making
electrons in the wire move.
A magnet is surrounded by
an invisible magnetic field.
If you place a metal wire
near the magnet, its field
can make electrons in
the wire move by pushing
and pulling them. If the
coil is placed near the fixed
magnet with the unchanging
magnetic field, nothing happens.
However, if you try moving the magnet
back and forth, or if you try spinning it,
This phenomenon is called
electromagnetic induction.
Michael Faraday discovered
it in 1831. That is why we
also call it Faraday’s law of
induction. The majority of
electric generators operate
on the basis of Faraday’s law.
Go ahead and build your own
electrical generators applying Faraday’s
law of induction.
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LAB 2
HYDROELECTRIC
GENERATOR
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
Hydroelectric power is produced by water
flowing through a turbine and spinning it.
This in turn activates an electric generator
comprised of coils and magnets.
Hydroelectricity is the most widely used
form of renewable energy. It is produced
in 150 countries. The largest hydroelectric
power station in the world is the Three
Gorges Dam in China.
Marian Scott. This Is Our Strength, Electric Power, c. 1939-1945
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We can build a prototype of a hydroelectric
power plant. In lab 2 locate the four parts we
need.
COIL
MAGNET
FAUCET
GEAR
First, touch the faucet to let the water flow
down. Adjust the gear so that running water
can easily rotate it. Lastly, attach the magnet
to the gear. The magnet will start rotating with
the gear, creating a changing magnetic field. The
changing magnetic field induces current in the
coil.
Experiments
You can attach the
magnet to a gear and
make it spin. We have
two gears in our hands.
How should we position
these gears to maximize
power?
Try tapping the faucet
knob to adjust the force
of water flow.
Can you describe the
relationship between
the strength of water
flow and the amount of
electricity generated?
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Tap the coil button to
mount a different coil,
the one with a doubled
number of loops.
What is the effect of
increasing the number of
loops? Try to explain the
changes observed.
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LAB 3
THERMAL POWER
GENERATOR
THERMOELECTRIC
POWER
In order to generate thermoelectric
power we need to burn something
and transform the heat released into
mechanical force. The mechanical force
is then applied to activate an electric
generator comprised of magnets and
coils.
For instance, on a thermal power station
the coal is burnt to heat water. Water
turns into steam and spins a steam turbine
which drives an electrical generator. This
is how we generate large amounts of
electricity for big cities.
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We can build a simple prototype of a
thermoelectric power plant operating on the heat
from a laboratory burner. Below are the parts we
need for our thermoelectric generator to work.
COIL
MAGNET
BURNER
PINWHEEL
Lets start by tapping the burner button. Do you
see the steam coming out of the flask? Position
the pinwheel somewhere above the flask so that
the steam jet could rotate it. All you need to do
now is to attach the magnet to the pinwheel. The
rotating magnet induces an electric current in
the coil. And this is how the heat from a burner
is being turned into electricity.
Experiments
Adjust the flame
strength by dragging the
knob on the burner.
How does the fires
intensity affects the
amount of electricity?
Move the burner and
the pinwheel with the
magnet attached closer
to the coil.
Does it help generate
more electricity?
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Tap the coil button
several times to mount a
coil with larger loops.
How does the increased
size of loops affect
the efficiency of the
generator?
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LAB 4
SOLAR PANEL
Have you ever seen a solar panel installed
on someone’s roof? Do you know that
these panels are used to turn sunlight into
electricity? In our third lab you can find
solar panels installed for you to have fun
experimenting with it.
Solar power technology is nothing new;
in fact, it dates back to the mid 1800s.
More precisely, the history of solar
panels began with the discovery of the
photovoltaic effect. In 1839 Alexandre
Edmond Becquerel found that when light
struck certain metals, the surface of the
metal emitted electrons, and the flow of
electrons formed an electric current. This
discovery helped other scientists develop
the idea of modern day solar power
systems.
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How can we make solar panels
more efficient?
Strike a pose
Keep it cool
Don’t be shady
A panel’s positioning
angle is very important,
in order to maximize
sunlight absorption.
Instead of adjusting the
orientation of the solar
panels in our lab, you can
simply move the sun to
find the optimal time for
harvesting solar energy.
High temperatures can severely
reduce the panel’s efficiency. For
instance, on a hot summer day the
performance can be reduced by
up to 25%. Therefore, engineers
are using different approaches to
keep solar panels cool. They seek
out cooler locations, provide good
air circulation, and use light-colored
materials.
Shade is the enemy of solar power.
Solar power systems are designed in a
way that a little patch of shade on just
one panel can shut down electricity
generation in all the adjacent panels. To
maximize efficiency, homeowners may
trim trees, clean dirt or bird droppings
with water, and perform other types of
maintenance.
Experiments
Tap and shake the sun
well to make it emit more
light.
How does the flow of
electrons change?
Make the wind blow by
dragging its icon onto
the solar panel. Increase
the wind if you want
and keep an eye on the
thermometer.
Drag a cloud or two into
the sky.
Explain how cloudy
weather affects the solar
power.
How does cooling panels
affect their efficiency?
Bring down the birds.
Drag a few of them onto
the panel and guess what
may happen.
How does it affect the
amount of electricity?
See also:
•How Do Solar Systems Produce Energy?
•Solar energy / Solar photovoltaics / Photovoltaic effect (3D animation)
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DIY
PROJECTS
Kids love getting their hands on DIY science projects.
You can easily turn your kitchen into a science lab.
Consider spending enough time on research and preparation.
Lemon Battery
Simple Cardboard Magnet Generator
Solar Powered Cockroach Toy
Cola Can Battery
Project for Kids: Power from Water
How to Make Electricity
on the App Store
Contact Us
Do you have ideas or thoughts to share?
Did you find a mistake?
[email protected]
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