Essentials of Electricity for Gifted Students: Preparation for High School Physics, Grades 4-8

Covers all major topics for understanding how electricity operates. Written by an outstanding science educator. Discussions are based upon the author's extensive experience in teaching science to gifted students. Each chapter is followed by detailed questions (Memory Checks), and answers are found in the Appendix. Emphasizes the Scientific Method of investigation and problem solving and encourages creative thinking. The chapters arouse gifted students' scientific curiosity and motivation to explore interesting topics. This curiosity is reinforced through ELEVEN laboratory activities that students can easily perform. Sganga appeals to the scientific curiosity of students through the use of timely discussions, numerous graphic illustrations and fascinating lab activities (conducted with simple materials such as batteries and magnets). Includes complete discussions of such topics as Static Electricity, Electrical Charges, Ions, Thermocouples, Solar Cells, Ohm's Law, Electric Circuits, Watts, Series and Parallel Circuits, and AC and DC Power. The author has included plans for constructing an innovative device for demonstrating principles underlying electrical motors and generators. He calls this device a GALVANOSCOPE, which is constructed by using simple wire coils and magnets. This book contains extensive discussions and demonstrations of Magnetism and its relationship to Electricity. It also describes the work of Thomas Alva Edison. Sganga helps students to understand how the above concepts are applied to such everyday technology as electric pumps, power generators, alternators, transformers, and electrical power plants.