What is an electric current 1 Exploration Can

1. Exploration • Can your group agree on an explanation about what you need

2. Switch it on • What is needed for an electric current to flow?

3. Instant reaction • Why do you think the light comes on immediately, even

4. All moving at once • Can you explain why a bulb will light

5. Inside the bulb • Think about what you know about an electric current

6. Changing direction • What happens when you reverse the wires? • What might

7. Back to the start and future learning • How have your ideas changed

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What is an electric current?

1. Exploration • Can your group agree on an explanation about what you need to do to make a light bulb light up? • What evidence do you have to support your ideas? • What evidence is there that may not support your ideas?

2. Switch it on • What is needed for an electric current to flow? • What do you think an electric current is like? • What evidence supports your ideas about what an electric current is like? • What else would you like to find out to help you understand more about an electric current?

3. Instant reaction • Why do you think the light comes on immediately, even when the wire is really long? • Do your ideas about this fit with your ideas about an electric current? • Does everyone in your group agree? • What would help you understand more about an electric current?

4. All moving at once • Can you explain why a bulb will light immediately when the circuit is switched on? • How does this fit with your ideas about a circuit needing to be complete? • Has your group improved their ideas about an electric current? What are your new ideas? • What evidence are you using to support your ideas?

5. Inside the bulb • Think about what you know about an electric current – will the light bulb you have drawn work in a circuit? • What about another group’s drawing? light bulb work? Would their • What have they drawn that you agree with? Is there anything that you do not agree with? • How can you explain to the other group why you agree or disagree with their ideas?

6. Changing direction • What happens when you reverse the wires? • What might be happening that you cannot see? • What do you notice about reversing the wires when you use the motor? What does this tell you about what an electric current is like? • Does this support your existing ideas?

7. Back to the start and future learning • How have your ideas changed today? • What progress have you made with your understanding of an electric current? • What arguments have you used to explain your point of view or idea? • What other evidence would help you understand better?