This is a recording of a recent live teleclass I did with thousands of kids from all over the world. I’ve included it here so you can participate and learn, too!
We’re going to study electrons and static charge. Kids will build simple electrostatic motor to help them understand how like charges repel and opposites attract. After you’ve completed this teleclass, be sure to hop on over the teleclass in Robotics!
Electrons are strange and unusual little fellows. Strange things happen when too many or too few of the little fellows get together. Some things may be attracted to other things or some things may push other things away. Occasionally you may see a spark of light and sound. The light and sound may be quite small or may be as large as a bolt of lightning. When electrons gather, strange things happen. Those strange things are static electricity.
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Electricity is carried by electrons. Electrons are tiny particles that orbit around the nucleus of atoms. (Everything around us is made up by atoms, which we call elements.) Some elements, like copper, are willing give and take electrons because they have open spots in their outer electron shell. This makes copper a great electrical conductor. If an element’s outer electron shell is full, or if their electrons are used up in chemical bonds, then that substance is usually an electrical insulator.
Why can some things conduct electricity but other things cant?
Yes – we have several wheeled robot designs in Unit 10 and also in our Summer Camp program. Use your imagination and have fun!
Couldn’t you use wheels for the robot?
You’ve figure out an important thing about static charge! Some things will be more statically charged than others, you will noticie a stronger electrostatic force in some objects more than others.
Why do some objects make the yardstick move faster and for longer than other objects? Do they have more electrons?