NATURAL SCIENCE gRADE 8 TERM 3

GERMISTON HIGH SCHOOL

STATIC ELECTRICITY
WORD BANK

• Friction: the resistance that results when two surfaces are rubbed or
moved against each other
• static electricity: The build-up of a stationary electric charge (either
positive or negative) on the surface of an object.
• electrostatic charge: the electric charge resulting from static electricity
caused by an excess or deficiency of electrons on the surface of an object
• attract: to pull something closer
• repel: to push something away
• neutral: when the number of positive charges (from the protons) is equal
to the number of negative charges (from the electrons); the (positive and
negative) charges balance each other so that the object is neither
positively nor negatively charged
• earth: (or ground) to connect with a conductor to the ground, or the earth
• earthing: a way to prevent electrical charge from building up on an
object, or to neutralise an electric charge, by allowing the excess charge
to flow into the Earth

The word “static” means not moving. Static electricity, therefore, a term used to
explain the collection of excess charges on an object where these charges do not
move. The collection of excess charges is as a result of the force between
electric charges. Electric charges refer to charges that negative and positive.
Negative charges are called electrons and positive charges are called protons.

Static electricity normally occurs more often when the air is drier or the
humidity is lower.

The Law of Static Electricity

The law states that:

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“Like charges repel each other, and unlike charges attract each other” The

diagram below illustrates the Law of Static Electricity:

Like charges (i.e. positive and positive or negative and negative) repel each
other, and unlike charges (i.e. positive and negative) attracts each other. These
charges repel and/or attract each because of a force exerted on them. You may
recall learning about the concept of force in the past and force was simply
defined as a ‘pull’ or ‘push’ effect. In this case the type of force that exists
between charges is called an electric force. An electric force acts at distance
due to electric field around an electric charge. The force field is invisible but its
effects can be observed by the movement of objects caused by repulsion and
attraction.

The diagram shows the electric field represented as field lines. Arrows are used
to indicate the direction of field lines.

Figure (a) represents attraction between unlike charges (i.e. negative and
positive). You will note that all arrows are moving away from the positive
charge and going towards the negative charge. This means that the negative
charge is attracting the positive charge. The strength of the electric force is
greater in between the opposite charges and less on the outside.

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 Figure (b) represents repulsion of like charges (in this case, positive and
positive) but the same will occur between two negative charges. Arrows in the
field lines are moving away from both charges, indicating that the charges are
repelling each other. The strength of the electric force is lesser in between the
charges and greater on the outer edges of the charges.

You can see in both figures that there is no contact between the charges. This
means that the electric force experienced by the charges is an example of what
is called a non-contact force.

CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK ACTIVITY 1:

1. Complete the following sentences:

A) An object which has more electrons than protons is ________________

charged.
B) An object with an excess of electrons is ______________ charged.
C) Static electricity can be generated by ____________.
D) Like charges _____________.
E) Unlike charges _______________.

Question 2-6 are multiple choice questions.

2. A neutral atom has…

A) more protons than electrons. B) more protons than
neutrons.
C) same number of protons and electrons. D) same number of protons
and neutrons.

3. When a piece of plastic becomes negatively charged, it has…

A) gained electrons. B) lost electrons.
C) gained protons. D) lost protons.

4. When a piece of plastic becomes positively charged, it has …

A) gained electrons. B) lost electrons.
C) gained protons. D) lost protons.

5. When two polythene rods with the same charge are brought near each other
they…
A) repel each other. B) attract each other.
C) give off sparks. D) show no reaction.

6. When you walk across a nylon carpet, you become negatively charged. When

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 you then
touch a metal door handle you receive a shock because…
A) electrons jump from you to the handle.
B) protons jump from you to the handle.
C) electrons jump from the door handle to you.
D) neutrons jump from you to the door handle.

7. Explain why static electricity does not normally occur on humid days.

8. Explain how sparks are formed.

Activity 2

Practical effect of Static Electricity

Learners are required to practically perform these two investigations to have a
better understanding of the effects of static electricity in our daily lives.

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Practical Investigation 1 (Individual task)
Title Investigate the effect of static electricity on
streaming tap water.
Illustrative diagram

Material needed • Piece of cotton cloth

• Glass rod
• Slow running stream of water from the tap
Procedure 1. Open the tap and let the water run
in a slow stream
2. Rub the rod in the cloth for about
30 to 40 seconds
3. Place the rod near the slow running stream of
water. As shown in the diagram.
Observation Take note of what happens to the water
Analysis Your teacher will provide further explanation
behind what you would have observed.

Questions 1. Write down the aim of the

investigation?
2. What happens to the water when
placing the rod near it?
3. Which type of force is the rod
exerting on water?
4. As the rod is rubbed in the cloth,
what force is created?
5. Explain the role of the cotton cloth
in the investigation.

Practical Investigation 2 (Individual Task)

Title Investigate the effect of static electricity on a
metal can.

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 Illustrative diagram

Material needed • Piece of cotton cloth

• Glass rod
• An empty 330 ml can of soft drink
Procedure 1. Place the can on its side on a flat even
surface 2. Rub the rod in the cloth for about 30
to 40 seconds
3. Place the cloth just near to the can.
4. Drag the cloth way from the can.
Observation Take note of what happens to the can
Analysis Your teacher will provide further explanation
behind what you would have observed.

Questions 1. Write down the aim of the investigation?

2. What happens to the can when the
cloth is dragged in front of it?
3. Which type of force is the rod
exerting on the can?
4. Explain the role of the rod in the
investigation.

ACTIVITY 3

1. Explain what static electricity is. (2)

2 Name the electric charges that produce static electricity. (2)

3. Which force produces static electricity and how does it achieve this? (3)

4. State the law of static electricity. (2)

5.1 What does it mean when an object is said to be neutral? (2)

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5.2 Complete the table by working out the overall charge on each object.
Show your calculations. State whether the object is positively charged,
negatively charged or neutral and why. [9 marks]
Charged Spheres Draw how y Explanation
will move

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 CIRCUIT AND CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Terminology
• ammeter: device that measures the strength of an electric current
• ampere: the standard unit for measuring electric current
• cell: a source of energy for an electric circuit
• component: a part of a larger system
• conductor: a substance which easily transmits electricity, heat, sound or
light
• delocalised: not limited to a particular place, free to move
• electric circuit: a complete path through which electrons can move
• electric current: the movement of charge in an electric circuit
• resistance: the opposition to the movement of charge in a conductor
• resistor: a component in an electrical circuit which slows the movement
of charge
• switch: a control component in an electrical circuit which opens or closes
the circuit

An electric current occurs when electrons start to move. An electric circuit is

needed for an electric current to flow. An electric current is thus known as a
pathway for electricity. An electric circuit consist of different components, all
which must be connected for the electric current to occur. The electric flow can
be influenced by insulators and conductors. Insulators are materials that hold
their electrons very tightly and electrons do not move through them very well.
These materials are plastic, cloths, glass. Materials where electrons can move
through easily because their electrons are loosely packed are called conductors.
Most metals are good conductors of electricity.

Table of names and symbols of electrical components

COMPONE IMAGE OF SYMBOL OF FUNCTION OF
NT NAME COMPONENT COMPONENT COMPONENT
It connects all the components
Conducting of the circuit and conducts the
wire flow of current

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 Is a single unit of a battery
A cell which provides potential
energy in the circuit.
The two vertical lines represent
the terminals of the cell. The
longer line is a positive
terminal and the shorter one is
a negative terminal.
A battery provides potential
Battery energy in the circuit.
It is a collection of two or more
cells
Ammeter is a device used to
Ammeter measure the amount of
electrical current flowing
through a particular point in
the circuit
It must be connected in series
A voltmeter is a device used to
Voltmeter measure the potential
difference potential difference
(voltage) between any two
points in the circuit
It must be connected in parallel
A switch is a device connected
along a live wire to switch the
Switch circuit off when not in use.
Closed switch completes the
circuit and the current flows
through
Opened switch cuts the flow of
current
Converts chemical potential
energy into light energy when
Light bulb current flows though

A resistor is a two-terminal
Resistor component that reduce the flow
(e.g. iron, of current because of its
lamp, kettle, electrical resistance
etc)

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When all the components in the circuit are connected the light bulb will glow.
A circuit is a conduction path where electricity flows from the positive terminal
to the negative terminal of the cell / battery. The conducting wires connect all
the components in the circuits and lead the electricity to the filament inside the
light bulb. When the electric current reaches the filament of the light bulb the
light bulb will glow.

The battery is a circuit is the main source of energy and consist of two or more
cells that creates a potential difference by providing electrons with potential
energy. The charges flow along conductors and potential energy will be
converted to kinetic energy (heat) in the circuit.

The switch is responsible for opening or closing a circuit. When the switch is
open, the circuit will be incomplete. The current will not be able to run through
the switch, the conducting wires that connects one component to another is no
longer connected and we say the circuit is interrupted. The light bulb will not
be able to glow.

A closed switch connects the conducting wires from one component to another,
allowing the electric current to flow continuously, which will in turn allow the
light bulb to glow.

Resistance can be explained as the opposition to or struggle against something

Resistance in a circuit is explained as the opposition to the flow of charge, or the
slowing down of the electric current by the components of a circuit
Resistance in a circuit can be created by the various components found in
circuits, such as:
Light bulbs, resistors, and even the conductors themselves
Remember, a conductor is a material that allows the flow of electric charge
along it and is made from metals. Some metals however, allow electric current
to flow through them easier than other metals A metal will be a good conductor
based on its chemical properties and the size of the space between the particles
of the metal (its density)
If the metal has larger spaces between the particles it will offer less resistance
and conduct electricity more easily
If the metal has smaller spaces between the particles it will offer more resistance
and conduct electricity less easily
That’s why some metals are better conductors, like Copper

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Activity 5: Components of electrical circuit
1 Draw the following table of components of electrical circuits in your classwork
book, the name of the component, the symbol and function.
Component Symbol Function

ACTIVITY 6: Components of electrical circuit.

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ACTIVITY7: CIRCUITS AND CURRENT ELECTRICITY
1. Write your own definition for an electric circuit. [2 marks]
2. What type of energy does a battery have? [1 mark]
3. List 3 materials which conduct electricity. [3 marks]
4. List 3 materials that do not conduct electricity. [3 marks]
5. Look at the following circuit diagram. Identify the number of bulbs,
switches and cells in this circuit. . [3 marks]

6. What is wrong with the following circuit diagram? Does it represent a

closed circuit? Explain your answer. . [3 marks]

7. Why do you think it is useful to have a switch in a circuit? [1 marks]

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 CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK ACTIVITY 8:

1. Define the following terms:

A) Electric current.
B) Electrical conductors.
C) Electrical insulators.
D) Resistors.
E) Electric circuit.

2. What are the minimum requirements for an electric circuit.

3. What is a battery? Briefly describe how it works.

4. What is an open/incomplete circuit? Describe different reasons for an

incomplete
circuit.

5. Draw diagrams of the following circuits.

A)

B)

Activity 9
Write down the following paragraph and fill in the missing words.’

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 A resistor _____ the flow of electrical current. This is called _____. A resistor can be
used to _____ the flow of electrical current or change _____ energy to _____ energy.
A resistor that can change the resistance in a circuit is called a _____ or _____. If the
resistance in a circuit is _____, the flow of current will decrease. If the resistance in a
circuit is decreased, the flow of current will _____. The resistor in a light bulb is called
a _____. It _____ to produce light

ACTIVITY 10
Choose the answer that best fit the description for 1.1-.1.5.
1.1 The diagram below shows a simple circuit.

The energy transformation that occurs in the circuit above when the switch is closed is …

A. chemical energy electrical energy light and thermal energy

B. light energy electrical energy chemical and thermal energy
C. thermal energy chemical energy electrical and light energy
D. chemical energy thermal energy electrical and light energy

1.2

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 A student tried to connect an electrical circuit as shown above.
The lightbulb did not light up. What can the student do to make the lightbulb light up?

A. Connect a second battery to the first battery.

B. Replace the wires with thicker wires.
C. Replace the steel nails with aluminium nails.

D. Connect the steel nails with a short piece of wire.

1.3 The diagram represents a closed electrical circuit with a switch and two lightbulbs.

In this circuit, one function of the switch is to …

A. store electrical energy

B. transform electrical energy into light energy

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C. produce solar energy

D. complete the circuit so light is produced

1.4 An electrical current can flow through when the switch is open
A. True
B. False
1.5 The battery or cell stores kinetic energy.
A. True
B. false

EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

WORD BANK:
• electrodes: a conductor which allows electricity to enter a substance

• electrolysis: the use of electricity to separate chemicals in a solution

• electromagnet: a device which becomes a magnet when electric current
passes through it
• electroplating: covering an object with a thin layer of metal using
electrolysis
• fuse: a safety device designed to melt and break the circuit if an electric
current reaches too high a level
• short circuit: occurs when another, easier path is accidently made in an
electric circuit.

An electric current can have various effects as it moves through different

substances
There are 3 main effects of an electric current: heating effect, magnetic effect,
chemical effect. Some of these effects are used in industry
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And one of them we use every day without evening thinking about it!
The heating effect:
As current moves through a resistor or conductor the movement causes the
substance to heat up. The greater the resistance a substance offers, the greater
the heat given off
This heat is actually the result of friction in the substance caused by the
movement of the electrons/electricity through the substance
Some metals have a higher resistance than others. Those that offer great
resistance eventually get so hot that they produce light as a result! Hence, the
light bulb As the electrons move through the filament of the bulb, it heats up
and produces light because it offers a great resistance. The picture below is of
the parts of an incandescent light bulb. Incandescent means to emit light as a
result of being heated.

How a light bulb works.

A light bulb consists of an air-tight enclosed glass case (number 1). At the base
of the bulb are two metal contacts (numbers 7 and 10), which connect to the
ends of an electrical circuit. The metal contacts are attached to two stiff wires,
(numbers 3 and 4).
These wires are attached to a thin metal filament. Have a look at a light bulb.
Can you identify the filament? This is number 2 in the diagram. The filament is
made from tungsten wire. This is an element with high resistance.
The heating effect is also used to safe guard circuits through the use of fuses.
Fuses are small components that have a thin wire within them that breaks if it
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gets too hot. This breaking wire stops the circuit from becoming overloaded and
protects the other components from being damaged by the current
Overheating in a circuit may be as a result of a short-circuit, which occurs is
when electric current bypasses the circuit because it has found another path of
less resistance to follow
An increase in current along one path could then cause damage to the
components and circuit, and in very bad situations even start a fire due to
electrical sparks as a result of the increased current Magnetic effect:
Video on making an electromagnet: [Link]
Some metals are naturally magnetic. By using an electric current we can make
metals take on a magnetic ability and we can control the strength of the
magnetic effect. An electromagnet is formed by constant flow of electricity
through a magnet; it moves the charges in a conductor which forms a magnetic
field around it.
When the current passes through a wire conductor, a magnetic effect is created.
If the wire is then coiled around an iron bar or nail, the magnetic field becomes
stronger. If we want the magnet to get stronger still, we increase the amount of
coils or increase the amount of current. When the current is turned off, the
magnetic ability stops!

The chemical effect:

An electric current can be used to create a chemical reaction or effect. Running
a current through a compound solution can decompose the compound into
simpler substances. This is known as electrolysis. Electro-plating is also an
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 example of where and electric current is used to create a chemical effect. In
electro-plating a metal is attached to other substances to make them stronger
and last longer. The chemical effect is as a result of ions being formed and
forced to interact with a positive or negative rod which is determined by the
terminal of the battery the rod is attached to
Electrolysis of copper (II) Chloride

ACTIVITY 11: Effects of electric current

CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK ACTIVITY 11:

1. Name and give a brief explanation of the three effects of an electric circuit.

2. Explain the term “short circuit”

3. What are the possible dangers of a short circuit?

4. Explain how a fuse works in an electrical circuit.

5. What is a circuit breaker?

ACTIVITY12: EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

1. A Grade 8 NS Teacher demonstrated the effects of an electric current in
class.
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 A current can heat a conductor when it flows through it. You observed what
happened. Answer the questions that flow based on your observations.
a Does the light bulb shine? What does this tell you?
b What do you think happens to the current in the circuit?
c What do you predict will happen when even more cells are added to the
circuit?
ACTIVITY13: EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC CURRENT
A group of students were experimenting with building electromagnets in science
class. To do this, the students wrapped a piece of insulated copper wire around an
iron nail and then connected the two ends of the wire to a battery, making the nail
magnetic. The number of wraps of the wire around the nail affected the number of
metal paperclips that the electromagnet could pick up at one time. The results of
the students’ experiment are shown in the data table below.

Electromagnetic strength
Number of wire Number pf paper
wraps clips picked
10 4
15 7
20 9
25 13

1 Predict how many paperclips the electromagnet would have picked up if the
students had wrapped the wire around the nail only five times.

2 When the wires were disconnected from the battery, all of the paper clips
fell off the nail.

Explain why the battery is needed to pick up the paper clips?

3 Electric shocks can be very dangerous to humans. Describe two ways in

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 which you can avoid electric shocks at home.

ACTIVITY14: EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

Your teacher will demonstrate that water (distilled) can be broken down by
electrolysis to produce oxygen and hydrogen gas. Observe what happens. Record
your observations in your workbooks complete the following questions.
1 What do you observe when the electrodes are connected to the battery and
put in water?
2 Which electrode is the anode?
3 Which electrode is the Cathode?
4 What gas was formed in the anode? Why do you say so?
5 What gas was formed at the cathode? Why do you say so?
6 Does water conduct electricity?

SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS

Word bank:

• An input device is a device which allows the transfer of energy into a

system
• A series circuit is a circuit in which there is only one route or pathway
for the current to flow along
• A component : a part of a larger system
• Parallel circuits are circuits that have more than one route or pathway
for the current to flow along.
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 • Ammeter: a device used to measure electric current in a circuit. It is
connected into the circuit in series
• Ampere: the unit of current
Series circuits
A series circuit is a circuit in which there is only one route or pathway for the
current to flow along. All components in the circuit are placed on this one
pathway. In a series circuit, the current remains the same throughout, even if
more components are added. Adding more components affects the strength of
the overall current in the circuit.

The simplest series circuit is made of a cell and conducting wire. A simple
series circuit would contain a cell, conducting wire and a bulb. More complex
series circuits have more components to [Link] that in a circuit there
is conventional current. This means the charges flow from the positive terminal
of a cell to the negative terminal of a cell. A few things to remember about a
series circuit:

• The position of the components in a series circuit doesn’t matter as the

current will travel through them all anyway

• The more resistors there are in a series circuit, the greater the total
resistance

• The more resistors there are in a series circuit, the greater the load in the
circuit The more resistors there are in a series circuit the more energy is
required in order to complete the circuit
• Drawing series circuits

Parallel circuits:
Parallel circuits are circuits that have more than one route or pathway for the
current to flow along. This means the current splits up and travels along all the
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 pathways at the same time. The current in the circuit is increased because of
these paths i.e. More current can flow through the circuit at the same time. In a
parallel circuit the overall resistance is also lowered because of the branches
which the current can flow along. If there is one path with a higher resistance
than the other paths then the current will travel along the paths with the lower
resistance. This is because current will always choose a path of least resistance

Drawing parallel circuit

Activity 17: series circuits

Rewrite the following paragraph and fill in the missing words.
In a series circuit there is _____ path that the current can follow. The current through the cells is _____
as the current that flows through the light bulbs. When more light bulbs are connected in series, the
_____ will increase and the _____ will decrease. This is because a light bulb acts as a _____ that _____
the flow of current. When cells are connected in series, the _____ terminal of one cell is connected to the
_____ terminal of the _____ cell. More cells connected in series _____ the current in a circuit.

Activity 18
PRACTICAL: series circuits

AIM: To investigate the effect that the number of cells connected in series has
on the
brightness of a light bulb.

INVESTIGATIVE QUESTION:

____________________________________________________________

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__________________________

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

HYPOTHESIS:

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

APPARATUS:

● Three cells
● Connecting wires
● A switch
● A light bulb

METHOD:

1. Set up a circuit with one cell, connecting wires, the switch and the light
bulb.
2. Close the switch and observe the brightness of the light bulb.
3. Connect a second cell in series with the first.
4. Close the switch and observe the brightness of the light bulb again.
5. Connect the third cell to the other two cells in series.
6. Close the switch and observe the brightness of the light bulb again.

QUESTIONS:

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 1. What is the independent variable (the variable that is changed)?
2. What is the dependent variable (the variable that is measured)?
3. What is the controlled variable (the variable that remains constant)?
4. How does the brightness of the light bulb compare in the circuit with one
and two cells?
5. In which of the three circuits does the light bulb glow the brightest?

CONCLUSION:

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

ACTIVITY 19
PRACTICAL: Series circuits

AIM: To investigate if the number of light bulbs connected in series affects the
brightness
of the light bulbs.

INVESTIGATIVE QUESTION:

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

HYPOTHESIS:

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

APPARATUS:

● Three cells
● Connecting wires
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 ● A switch
● Three light bulbs

METHOD:

1. Set up a circuit with three cells in series, the connecting wires, the switch
and one light bulb.
2. Close the switch and observe the brightness of the light bulb.
3. Connect a second light bulb in series with the first light bulb.
4. Close the switch and observe the brightness of the light bulbs.
5. Connect a second light bulb in series with the other light bulbs.
6. Close the switch and observe the brightness of the light bulbs.

QUESTIONS:

1. Draw a circuit diagram of three cells in series, a switch and three light
bulbs connected in series.
2. What is the independent variable (the variable that is changed)?
3. What is the dependent variable (the variable that is measured)?
4. What is the controlled variable (the variable that remains constant)?
5. How does the brightness of the light bulbs compare when you have one
bulb at first and then two light bulbs connected in series?
6. How does the brightness of the light bulbs compare when you have three
light bulbs connected in series?
7. Was your hypothesis correct? Explain your answer.

CONCLUSION:

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

Activity 20: parallel circuits

Look at the circuit diagram of a parallel circuit that the teacher is showing you. Answer
the following questions in your workbook.
a. Redraw the circuit diagram and show with arrows how the current flows through the
circuit.
b. How many light bulbs are connected in parallel?

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 c. If the light bulbs have the same resistance, what fraction of the current will flow
through each branch?
d. How does the current of the circuit in the diagram differ from the current in a circuit
with only one light bulb?
e. How does the resistance of the circuit in the diagram differ from the resistance of a
circuit with only one light bulb?

Activity 21
PRACTICAL: series and parallel circuits

AIM: To investigate the effect of the number of light bulbs connected in parallel
on the
brightness of the light bulb(s).

INVESTIGATIVE QUESTION:

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

HYPOTHESIS:

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

APPARATUS:
● Three cells
● Connecting wires
● A switch
● Four light bulbs
METHOD:

1. Connect two light bulbs in parallel.

2. Connect three cells and a switch in series with the light bulbs.
3. Close the switch and observe the brightness of the light bulbs.
4. Connect another light bulb in parallel with the other two light bulbs.
5. Close the switch and observe the brightness of the light bulbs in parallel.
6. Close the switch and observe the brightness of the light bulbs again.
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OBSERVATIONS:

Number of light bulbs in parallel: Brightness of the light bulbs:

2
3
4

QUESTIONS:

1. Draw a circuit diagram of the three cells in series, a switch and four light
bulbs connected in parallel.
2. What is the independent variable (the variable that is changed)?
3. What is the dependent variable (the variable that is measured)?
4. What is the controlled variable (the variable that remains constant)?
5. Was the hypothesis correct? Explain your answer.

CONCLUSION:

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

____________________________________________________________
__________________________

ACTIVITY 22: SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS

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 1. A Natural Science Teacher sets up the following two circuits in a grade 8

lesson

CIRCUIT 1 CIRCUIT 2
a. Differentiate between Circuit 1 and Circuit 2.
b. Compare the brightness of the bulbs in Circuit 1 to that in Circuit 2.
c. Suggest a reason for your answer in question b.
d. One of the bulbs in Circuit 1 and Circuit 2 blows. In which circuit will the
another bulb still glows?
e. Does it matter where in a series circuit the components are connected?
Explain

CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK ACTIVITY 23:

1. Briefly explain the difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit.

2. Draw a circuit diagram showing:

A) Two cells in series, an open switch, three light bulbs in series and a voltmeter across
the cells.
B) Three cells in series, a closed switch, two light bulbs in parallel and a ammeter in the
main branch.
C) Two cells in series, two light bulbs in parallel, a switch controlling each light bulb
(one switch open and one switch closed).

3. Read the statements below and choose one of the options below:
“increases” “decreases” “stays the same”

A) When the number of light bulbs (resistors) are increased in a series circuit the
brightness….
B) When the number of light bulbs (resistors) are increased in a series circuit the

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 current strength….
C) When the number of light bulbs (resistors) are increased in a parallel circuit the
brightness….
D) When the number of light bulbs (resistors) are increased in a parallel circuit the
current strength….

Activity 24: parallel circuits

Choose the correct letter that best answers the questions.
1 Which of the following is shown in this diagram?

A. Series circuit

B. Parallel circuit

C. Alternating current

D. Short circuit

2 Jake needs to repair a car stereo system. The system contains a stereo and a fuse that are connected in series
and two speakers that are connected in parallel.

Which of the following diagrams represents the car stereo system described above?

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3 Which components in the circuit will be turned on when Switch 1 is closed?

A. The furnace motor, the light bulb, and the exhaust fan only
B. The furnace motor, the light bulb, and the doorbell only
C. The light bulb and the exhaust fan only
D. The light bulb and the doorbell only

4 Which of the following statements predicts the relative brightness of each of the three light bulbs in the
circuit shown below?

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A. Light bulb 1 is brighter than Light bulb 2, which is brighter than Light bulb 3.
B. Light bulb 1 is dimmer than Light bulb 2, which is dimmer than Light bulb 3.
C. Light bulb 1 is brighter than light bulbs 2 and 3, which both have the same brightness.
D. Light bulb 1 is dimmer than light bulbs 2 and 3, which both have the same brightness.

5 Which statement about the buzzer and bulb is correct?

A. They are both “on”

B. They are both “off”
C. The bulb is “on” and the buzzer is “off”
D. The bulb is “off” and the buzzer is “on”

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RADIATION OF LIGHT, SPECTRUM OF
VISIBLE LIGHT & OPAQUE AND
TRANSPARENT SUBSTANCES
WORD BANK:

• dispersion: spreading of something over an area

• translucent: semi-transparent; some light is able to pass through but not
enough for details to be seen clearly
• transmit: to cause light to pass through space or medium
• transparent: something that you can see through; light passes through
the object
• visible spectrum: the portion of the wave spectrum that is visible to the
human eye
• opaque: something that you cannot see through; no light passes through
the object
• optical density: a measure of how well a medium allows light to travel
through it
• optics: the scientific study of sight and the behaviour of light
• radiation: the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves

Light (Radiant) energy Light

energy is :

o Radiated from luminous objects o

Reflected off the surfaces of objects o
Absorbed by some surfaces o
Refracted by transparent substances

Luminous objects and illuminated objects (non-luminous)

Luminous objects are light sources emitting light energy e.g. the sun, stars,
burning candles or glowing bulbs
Non – luminous objects (illuminated objects) reflect the light of luminous
objects as they have no light source of their own e. g the moon reflects the light
of the sun. Other examples are the planets and any other light reflecting object.
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Light is energy that is electromagnetic radiation. This means that it is emitted by
electromagnetic waves. Therefore light travels without the need for particles to
pass it on and can travel through vacuums. The greatest source of natural light
comes from stars. The sun in our galaxy is the nearest star to the planet Earth
and provides it with life giving light/radiant energy. The sun is 150 000 000km
away from us, yet it only takes roughly 8 minutes for its light to reach us. This
is because light travels at 300 000km/s!!!

The sun is said to be a luminous object because it gives off or emits light. This
light energy is created by the chemical reactions which take place in the sun.
Light is radiated in a similar way to heat being radiated to a barbeque fire

When light is emitted from a luminous object it travels in STRAIGHT lines and
diverges; it does not bend

We only see the light rays/beams if there is particles in the air that scatter the

light A RAY is a line in which light is travelling, its direction.

A BEAM is a number of light rays found together.

In diagrams: a RAY is drawn as a straight line with arrows, a BEAM is drawn

as many lines with arrows

TRANSPARENT, TRANSLUCENT AND OPAQUE SUBSTANCES

Light passes through transparent substances and you are able to see through
them e.g. clear glass.

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Light passes through translucent substances but you are not able to see through
it e.g. matt glass.

No light passes through opaque substances and you are not able to see through it
e.g. metal and wood.

SHADOWS
Shadows occur because light travels in straight lines. If an object stops the light
from going through it (opaque) a shadow will form. The shadow will take the
general form of the object depending on where the source of light is coming
from and the size of the source

If an object does not emit or give off light but reflects it, it is said to illuminated

The moon is an illuminated object because it doesn’t give off its own light but
reflects the light of the sun, thus making it look like it gives of light

SPECTRUM OF VISIBLE LIGHT

Visible light and the colours you see around you are a small part of the
electromagnetic spectrum. White light is made up of different colours which
become visible in different situations. Each colour that is seen is only seen
because it has a different wavelength to the other colour. As humans we can
only see a small section of the light spectrum. Remember, light travels in
straight lines but it is not itself a straight line. It is wavy. A wavelength is the
distance between two consecutive crests in a wave of light or the distance
between two consecutive troughs in a wave of light. The visible spectrum of
colours that we see is found between these two types of light. The visible
spectrum of light is comprised of 7 colours: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue,
Indigo and Violet (or ROYGBIV)

White light can be broken up or dispersed to reveal the 7 colours of the rainbow.
The three primary colours of light are Red, Green and Blue. If these combine,
they create white light.

35
ABSORPTION, REFLECTION AND
REFRACTION OF LIGHT & SEEING LIGHT
Word bank

• incident ray: the ray of light which hits a surface

• normal line: this is an imaginary line which is drawn at 90o to the
surface
• angle of incidence: the angle between the incident ray and the normal
line
• angle of reflection: the angle between the reflected ray and the normal
line

Watch a video on light:

When light strikes an object, 3 things can happen:

1. It will be reflected
2. It will be refracted
3. It will be absorbed
4. When a light ray strikes a rectangular transparent or translucent object at
an angle, the light ray is refracted to the normal. The normal is the line
perpendicular to the surface. When a light ray moves out of the glass to
the
air, it refracts away from the normal.
EMERGENT RAY REFRACTED RAY
ANGLE OF EMERGENCE

ANGLE OF
REFRACTION
ANGLE OF INCIDENCE

INCIDENT RAY

Take note of the following important terms:

1. Incident ray The light ray entering the glass from

36
 air
2. Refracted ray The light ray moving in the glass
rectangle
3. Emergent ray The ray emerging from the glass into
the air
4. Angle of incidence The angle between the incident ray
and the normal
5. Angle of refraction The angle between the refracted ray
and the normal
6. Emergent angle The angle between the emergent ray
and the normal

Dispersion of light

o Dispersion is the refraction of white light into the different colours

of the spectrum
o A triangular glass prism refracts white light into colours of the
spectrum
o White light mainly consists of seven colours of light with different
frequencies (and wavelengths): red, orange, yellow, green, blue,
indigo and violet.
o The prism refracts white light into the same direction. o At the
first separation level (air to glass) it is refracted towards the
normal.
o At the second separation level (glass to air) it is refracted away
from the normal.
o It is refracted twice in the same direction, because the two normal
lines are not parallel in a triangular prism. o After the second
refraction the complete spectrum is visible o Violet light is
refracted to the most and red light is refracted to the least.
o The angle of every colour emerging from the prism differs – it
means every colour moves through the prism with a different
velocity.

37
 o White light consists of light with different frequencies (and
wavelengths).
o Violet has the highest frequency (shortest wavelength) and most
energy. Indigo has slightly less energy, a slightly lower frequency
and a slightly longer wavelength.
o It continues in this ratio until red has the least energy, lowest
frequency and longest wavelength

Reflection of light

a. Light is reflected off most surfaces.

b. If an object is not luminous, it can only be seen when light is
reflected off it.
c. Therefore light rays must shine on the object
d. Reflection from a smooth surface
i. When light shines on a smooth surface e.g a mirror, all
light is reflected in the same direction (regular
reflection)
ii. The angle of incidence and reflection is equal iii.
Normal
Angle of incidence Angle of reflection

38
 o Reflection from a rough surface
 When light shines on a rough surface, the light rays are not
reflected in the same direction, the reflected light is scattered
(diffuse reflection).

Scattered
rays

Rough surfaceof light

Absorption
Light energy is absorbed differently by different materials

Absorption of light by transparent objects like filters

a. When red and green light rays strike a red filter, only the red ray will pass
through.
b. The red filter allows red through and absorbs all other colours.

39
 Red filter
Red light red light (not absorbed)

Green light

c. When red and green light rays strike a green filter separately, only the
green ray will pass through

Green filter
Red light

Green light green light

d. The green filter allows green through and absorbs all other colours
e. We can therefore deduce : A coloured filter absorbs all other colours, it
only allows the colour of the filter through

Absorption of light by opaque objects

a. Opaque objects absorb all other colours and only reflect the colour
of the object.
b. A black object (e.g a matt black paper) absorbs all of the
frequencies / colours and therefore looks black as if no light is
reflected.

40
 All colours black reflection

When white light shines on a red piece of paper, the paper absorbs all of
the frequencies / colours except red, which is then reflected

White light red light

Red paper As only red is

reflected it appears red. When red light shines on red paper we see red, because
the red light is reflected.

Red light red light

Red paper

When green and blue light shine on red paper we see black, because the green
and blue are absorbed and no light is reflected

Blue light
Green light
Red
paper

The frequencies that are absorbed do not reach the observer’s eye

Observing light
Different colours

a. When light is shone on an object, some colours in the spectrum (some

frequencies) will be absorbed and some colours will be reflected

41
 b. A blue car looks blue because all the other colours / frequencies of light
(violet, indigo, green yellow orange and red) are absorbed and only blue
is reflected.
c. A sunflower is yellow, because all the other colours / frequencies of light
(violet, indigo, blue, green, orange, and red) are absorbed and only yellow
is reflected.
d. Leaves are green because all the other colours / frequencies of light
(violet, indigo, blue, yellow, orange and red) are absorbed and only green
is reflected.
e. Green plants photosynthesise (produce their own food) due to the
presence of chlorophyll, a green pigment
f. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and via the process of photosynthesis,
transforms light energy into potential energy
g. Chlorophyll absorbs all light except green

How we see light

i. The following diagram represents a cross section of the eye:

ii. The black spot in the centre of the eye is actually an opening
– the pupil is where light enters the eye.
42
 iii. The retina at the back of the eyeball, operates like a screen
onto which the lens projects the image (the retina is similar
to
the cardboard frame with the wax paper in the pinhole
camera)
iv. The image on the retina is also inverted, just like the camera
v. In the retina there are specialised receptor cells which are
stimulated by specific colours / frequencies.
vi. These cells convert light energy into electric impulses
vii. The optical nerve transfers the impulses to the brain for
interpretation viii. The path of a light ray in the eye:

optical
pupil lens retina brain
nerve

Eye defects:

Short sightedness (Myopia)

The eye is too long and / or the cornea is too steep. The image does not reflect
on the retina at the back of the eye. It can only be corrected by putting a
concave lens in front of the eye so parallel rays can be diverged by the concave
lens and form the image on the retina.

Long sightedness (Hyperopia)

The eye is too short and or cornea is too flat. The image is projected past the
retina to the optic nerve. It can be corrected by parallel rays being converged by
a convex lens to form the image on the retina.

43
ACTIVITIES: Visible light

Activity 25: visible light

1. Define the following words: Radiation, luminous, illuminated, translucent,

visible light.
2. Is the Sun a luminous or illuminated object?
3. What is the speed of light?

Activity 26: visible light

1. Draw a diagram to indicate the measurement of a wavelength

2. Some animals have the ability to make their own light which they use to
attract mates or catch prey by allowing them to glow in the dark. This is
done with a series of chemical reactions. What do we call this
phenomenon

3. How long does it take light from the sun to reach Earth?

4. Explain why shadows exist

5. A giraffe walks past a window with different panes (glass of a window).

Pane 1 Pane 2 Pane 3

44
 a. Which windowpane is translucent?

b. Which windowpane can cause shadows to be formed?

Activity 27: Visible light

TASK
A pinhole camera is used to form an image of a luminous object on a screen.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

shoebox painted black on the inside

tissue paper sellotape candle
matches.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
● Work in groups of 5.
● Construct the pinhole camera, your teacher will show you what a pinhole
camera looks like.
● Make a small hole at the one end of the shoebox. At the other end, remove the
side of the shoebox and cover with tissue paper. Use Sellotape to stick the tissue paper
to the box.
● Light a candle and put it in front of the hole of the shoebox.
● Observe the image formed on the tissue paper and record your observation.
QUESTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS
a. Why is the candle a luminous object?
b. Can you describe the image that is formed?
c. Draw a ray diagram to explain why the image is formed as stated in b

Activity 28: Visible light

PRACTICAL ACTIVITY
You will work in pairs.
AIM:
45
To find out whether the shadow of an object is dependent on the distance between the object
and the light source.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

a torch cardboard in the shape of a

rectangle a clean white page

ruler

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

● Stick the white paper onto the wall. Place the rectangle on a flat surface in front of the white
paper.
● Shine the torch on the cardboard rectangle so that it casts a shadow on the white paper.

● Let the other learner measure the distance between the shape and the torch, as well as the
length of the shadow on the paper.
● Keep the torch the same distance from the wall. Move the shape further away from the torch
and closer to the wall.
● Measure the distance between the rectangle and the torch, as well as the length of the
shadow on the paper. Observe what happens.
● Repeat the previous two steps above but move the shape closer to the torch.

a. Record the information in the following table:

46
 Distance of rectangle from Lengthof shadow (in cm) description of shape
torch (in cm)

b. What happens to the size ofshadow

the ifthe rectangle is movedrther
fu away

from the torch?

c. What happens to the size of the shadow, if the rectangle is moved closer to the

torch?

d. Explain why this happens.

e. Draw a ray diagram for the rectangle close to the torch, as well as for the rectangle

further away from the

torch.

f. What is your conclusion?

Activity 29: Visible light

Light travels through a prism as shown in the diagram below: Answer the following questions

1. Label the colours that are seen in the diagram below.

Activity 30: Visible light

[Link] the crossword puzzle on light.
47
 DOWN ACROSS
Clear glass is an example of a No light passes through
___(1)_____ Object where light ____(6)____ objects
can pass through.
Angle between a refracted ray and The normal is the line
normal is called the angle of perpendicular to the ____(7)____
____(2)_____
The ___(3)____consist of specific Dispersion is the refraction of
cells to convert light energy into ____(8)____ light into different
____(4)_______ impulses colours.
Nerve that takes the impulse from Angle between emergent ray and
the eye to the brain is called the normal is called ____(9)_____
___(5)____ nerve angle
Special cells in the retina is called
__(10)__ cells

9 4

5
6

10

48
 8

Activity 31: Visible light

Various options are provided as possible answers to the following
questions. Choose the correct option by writing ONLY the letter
that represents the correct answer next to question number. e.g.
2.6 B.
1.1 When light hits the surface three things happen. List all three

A) Radiation, Dispersion and Absorption

B) Transformation, Reflection and Radiation

C) Absorption, Transmission and reflection

D) Dispersion, Radiation and Transformation

1.2 In a transparent material, which of the following is true?

A. The light rays are absorbed and no clear image is seen through the material

B. The light rays are scattered and no clear image is seen through the material

C. The light rays are transmitted without scattering and a clear image is seen through
the material

D. The light rays are transmitted without scattering but no image is seen through the
material

1.3 When placed in direct sunlight, which object will absorb the most visible light
energy?
A. a piece of clear glass

49
 B. a snowball

C. a shiny mirror

D. a black sweater

1.4 If white light falls upon a piece of blue cloth, the cloth
A. Absorbs blue light and reflects all other colours to our eyes.

B. Absorbs all colours except blue and reflects only blue light to our eyes.

C. Absorbs all of the colours in the white light

D. Absorbs none of the colours in the white light

1.5 On a warm sunny day, you will feel cooler wearing light-coloured clothes
because they …

A. reflect more radiation

B. prevent sweating

C. are not as heavy as dark clothes

D. let more air in

1.6 A person in a dark room looking through a window can clearly see a person
outside in the daylight. But a person outside cannot see the person inside.

Why does this happen?

A. There is not enough light being reflected off the person in the room.

B. Light rays cannot pass through a window twice.

C. Outside light does not pass through windows.

D. Sunlight is not as intense as other sources of light.

50
 Activity 32: Visible light
[Link] is the phenomenon called when white light breaks up into the seven colours?

[Link] is the name given for the collection of the seven colours of white light?
[Link] colour is refracted the most?
[Link] colour has the longest wavelength?
[Link] the following diagram on your book to show the path through a
rectangular glass block. Show the normal, angle of incidence and angle of
refraction as the light ray enters the glass block.

Activity 33: Visible light

PRACTICAL ACTIVITY: LIGHT

AIM: To find out how light is projected through different objects

APPARATUS:

1. Glass prism

2. Concave lens

3. Convex lens

METHOD:

1. Shine the light through each one of the apparatuses used

RESULTS

Draw a diagram of you observation in each step.

CONCLUSION
51
 Write your conclusion about absorption of light in different objects.
Activity 34: Visible light

Draw a table and compare transparent and translucent objects.

Activity 35: Visible light

Draw a flow diagram to show how you are able to see a green leaf. Use the following words to
help you:
retina, leave, optical nerve, pupil, upright image, brain, sunlight, light energy, green light,
reflect, photoreceptors, electrical impulses

Activity 36: Visible light

Insert a pencil in a glass of clean water and observe the apparent change in position of the
pencil below the surface of the water. Answer the following questions.
a. Why does the pencil look broken?
b. What do we call this phenomenon?
c. What are the two optical mediums?
d. Which medium is optically denser?

e. Where does the bending of light take place? f. Explain why the part of the
pencil in the water looks misplaced.

52