What is an electric current

1
What is an electric current?
2
1. Lets think back!

• What is needed in order 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?
• How could we measure an electric current? Why
  would this be useful?

3
2. Measuring current

• What have you noticed about the readings you get
  using the ammeter?
• What difference does it make to the readings you
  get if you change things in your circuit?
• What happens if you use more bulbs? Or more
  batteries?
• How can your group explain how the changes you
  make affect the size of the current?

4
3. Current around the circuit

• What ideas about an electric current did you use
  to help you make your prediction about the
  current at point B?
• Was your measurement with the ammeter the same as
  your prediction?
• What surprised you? Can you explain what you
  found?
• How will your ideas help you make predictions
  about the current in a different circuit?

5
4. Plenary all moving at once

• Can you explain why a bulb will light immediately
  when the circuit is switched on?
• What can you say about the speed of the string in
  different parts of the circuit?
• How does this fit with what you found out when
  you measured current with the ammeter?
• What happens when we put a bulb in the circuit?
  Two bulbs? How can you explain this using what
  you know about an electric current?