T2 S 841 History of Electricity Comprehension Sheet - Ver - 1

History of Electricity Reading
Comprehension Questions
I can explain the importance of the major discoveries in electricity.
Read each question carefully and answer questions in sentences.

1. What does the word ‘electricus’ mean?
2. What key discoveries did the following scientists make? (Pick only one)
William Gilbert
Alessandro Volta
Michael Faraday
Thomas Edison
Lewis Latimer
3. What did Franklin’s kite experiment prove?
4. Did Thomas Edison invent the lightbulb?
5. What modern electrical appliances use a motor? (Give two examples)
6. The voltaic pile ensured a steady electric current. Why did this lead to the wider use of electricity?
Science | Year 6 | Electricity | It's Electrifying! | Lesson 1

7. “The Ancient Greeks and Ancient Egyptians believed the same things about electricity”
Is this statement correct? Explain why with examples to support your answer.

Comprehension Answers
YEAR 5 AND 6 READING OBJECTIVES COVERED IN GREEN.
Continue to read and discuss an increasingly wide range of fiction, poetry, plays, non-fiction and
reference books or textbooks
1. What does the word ‘electricus’ mean? (retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction)
Electricus was the name given to static electricity by Gilbert. (It comes from the Greek word for amber –
elektron)
2. What key discoveries did the following scientists make? (Pick only one) (retrieve, record and present
information from non-fiction)
William Gilbert distinguished between magnetism and static electricity.

Alessandro Volta created the first battery using the voltaic pile.
Michael Faraday invented the first electrical motor.
Thomas Edison redesigned the lightbulb.
Lewis Latimer invented a filament that would stay lit for longer.
3. What did Franklin’s kite experiment prove? (retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction)
It proved that lightning was a natural form of electricity. (references to electric current are also acceptable).
4. Did Thomas Edison invent the lightbulb? (retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction)
No, the lightbulb had already been invented. Edison improved it by redesigning it.
5. What modern electrical appliances use a motor? (Give two examples) (retrieve, record and present
Any electrical appliances with a motor for example, car, drill, food processor, etc.
6. The voltaic pile ensured a steady electric current. Why did this lead to the wider use of electricity? (provide
reasoned justifications for their views)
Children should refer to the fact that a steady electric current could be used to power appliances. An
unsteady current would mean the appliance would go on and off.
7. “The Ancient Greeks and Ancient Egyptians believed the same things about electricity” Is this statement true
or false? Explain why with examples to support your answer. (provide reasoned justifications for their views)
Children should state that:

• It’s correct because both knew about electric fish and the shocks they could give.
• It’s incorrect because the Ancient Greeks knew about static electricity although they believed it was
magnetism.


William Gilbert
Alessandro Volta
Michael Faraday
Thomas Edison
Lewis Latimer

6. “The Ancient Greeks and Ancient Egyptians believed the same things about electricity”
Is this statement correct? Explain why with examples to support your answer.
7. How are the AC and DC currents different? Include two examples.

elektron)

6. “The Ancient Greeks and Ancient Egyptians believed the same things about electricity” Is this statement true
or false? Explain why with examples to support your answer. (provide reasoned justifications for their views)

• It’s correct because both knew about electric fish and the shocks they could give.
• It’s incorrect because the Ancient Greeks knew about static electricity although they believed it was
magnetism.
7. How are the AC and DC currents different? (retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction)
At least two of the following should be part of the answer.
AC current can be increased and decreased, the DC current can’t.

AC current can travel long distances while the DC current needs to be closer to the building it supplies.
AC current requires transformers which the DC current does not as it is steady.
AC currents are higher in voltage than DC currents.


William Gilbert
Alessandro Volta
Michael Faraday
Thomas Edison
Lewis Latimer

6. How are the AC and DC currents different? Include two examples.
7. Who won the war of the currents and why?

elektron)

6. How are the AC and DC currents different? (retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction)
At least two of the following should be part of the answer.
AC current can be increased and decreased, the DC current can’t.

AC current can travel long distances while the DC current needs to be closer to the building it supplies.
AC current requires transformers which the DC current does not as it is steady.
AC currents are higher in voltage than DC currents.
7. Who won the war of the currents and why? (provide reasoned justifications for their views)

• It was the AC current that won.
• Transformers allowed an AC current to be transferred safely, cheaply and efficiently.
• The AC current supplies the mains electricity we use in our homes.

T2 S 841 History of Electricity Comprehension Sheet - Ver - 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

T2 S 841 History of Electricity Comprehension Sheet - Ver - 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

T2 S 841 History of Electricity Comprehension Sheet - Ver - 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

History of Electricity Reading

Read each question carefully and answer questions in sentences.

3. What did Franklin’s kite experiment prove?

4. Did Thomas Edison invent the lightbulb?

5. What modern electrical appliances use a motor? (Give two examples)

Science | Year 6 | Electricity | It's Electrifying! | Lesson 1

Science | Year 6 | Electricity | It's Electrifying! | Lesson 1

William Gilbert distinguished between magnetism and static electricity.

Children should state that:

Science | Year 6 | Electricity | It's Electrifying! | Lesson 1

Read each question carefully and answer questions in sentences.

3. Did Thomas Edison invent the lightbulb?

4. What modern electrical appliances use a motor? (Give two examples)

Science | Year 6 | Electricity | It's Electrifying! | Lesson 1

7. How are the AC and DC currents different? Include two examples.

Science | Year 6 | Electricity | It's Electrifying! | Lesson 1

William Gilbert distinguished between magnetism and static electricity.

Children should state that:

AC current can be increased and decreased, the DC current can’t.

Science | Year 6 | Electricity | It's Electrifying! | Lesson 1

Read each question carefully and answer questions in sentences.

3. Did Thomas Edison invent the lightbulb?

4. What modern electrical appliances use a motor? (Give two examples)

Science | Year 6 | Electricity | It's Electrifying! | Lesson 1

7. Who won the war of the currents and why?

Science | Year 6 | Electricity | It's Electrifying! | Lesson 1

William Gilbert distinguished between magnetism and static electricity.

AC current can be increased and decreased, the DC current can’t.

Children should state that:

Science | Year 6 | Electricity | It's Electrifying! | Lesson 1

You might also like