New
New
Year 4

Generating and transporting electricity (non-statutory)

I can explain how electricity is generated and reaches our homes.

New
New
Year 4

Generating and transporting electricity (non-statutory)

I can explain how electricity is generated and reaches our homes.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Traditional power stations burn coal or gas to generate electricity.
  2. Electricity is generated when the blades of a turbine turn causing a magnet to spin inside a coil of wire.
  3. Electricity is generated at traditional power stations or using the wind, water or the Sun.
  4. Electricity is transported around the country and to our homes through metal cables.

Keywords

  • Electricity - Electricity is needed for lighting, heating and making machines and appliances work.

  • Generate - To generate electricity is to produce it.

  • Power station - Electricity is generated at a power station.

  • Turbine - A turbine is a machine through which liquid or gas flows to turn a wheel.

  • Pylon - A pylon is a tall tower for carrying electricity cables high above the ground.

Common misconception

Electricity comes from the plug sockets in our homes. When electrical appliances are used, the electricity goes into them but is not part of a complete circuit.

Pupils will be taught where and how electricity is generated and how it is transported to our homes.

Encourage pupils to consider and recount the different stages in electricity generation and transport, from the power station to our plugs and switches.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is the name of the component shown?
An image in a quiz
buzzer
light bulb
Correct answer: motor
Q2.
Which of the following circuits is complete?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q3.
Match the following properties of a material to the product it would be used for.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:electrical insulator,handle and casing on a vacuum cleaner

handle and casing on a vacuum cleaner

Correct Answer:electrical conductor,wiring of a vacuum cleaner

wiring of a vacuum cleaner

Q4.
Which of the following should not come into contact with electricity?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: metal
rubber
plastic
air
Q5.
Some metals electricity better than others.
Correct Answer: conduct
Q6.
Which two of the following are electrical insulators?
copper
aluminium
Correct answer: rubber
silver
Correct answer: air

6 Questions

Q1.
To generate electricity means…
An image in a quiz
to sell electricity.
Correct answer: to produce electricity.
to buy electricity.
to use electricity.
Q2.
Which of the following are used for electricity generation?
Correct answer: wind
Correct answer: sun
animal movement
Correct answer: water
Q3.
How is electricity transported to our homes?
An image in a quiz
in large batteries
Correct answer: by metal cables
in trucks and lorries
via the internet
Q4.
What is the name of the tall towers which carry electrical cables high above the ground?
An image in a quiz
pyrex
pyton
Correct answer: pylon
pyper
Q5.
How do the blades of turbines move to generate electricity?
Correct answer: they turn
they move up and down
they rock
Q6.
Which of the following do traditional power stations burn to generate electricity?
rock
Correct answer: oil
wood
Correct answer: gas