Contextualization
The study of conductors and insulators is one of the concepts belonging to electrostatic physics and is extremely relevant in our daily lives. To understand this, we first need to comprehend that electricity is one of the fundamental forces of nature and is present in various everyday situations: in the light bulb that illuminates the room, in the shower that heats the water, in the cell phone we use to communicate, and even in the lightning of a storm.
Conductors are materials capable of allowing the passage of electric current; in their structure, they have free electrons that can move from one atom to another. Some examples of conductors are metals like copper, silver, and gold. On the other hand, insulators, as the name suggests, are materials that do not allow the passage of this current; the electrons are more strongly bound to the atoms and cannot move easily. Examples of insulating materials include rubber, glass, and wood.
Understanding the difference between conductors and insulators is crucial when it comes to electrical installation in a house or building. For example, the wires that conduct electricity are made of copper (conductor) and are coated with a plastic material (insulator) to prevent possible electric shocks.
Electricity is one of the most used sources of energy in today's society. It heats our homes, powers our electronic devices, and illuminates our cities. Understanding how electricity is conducted through materials is a fundamental part of our ability to control and use this energy effectively and safely.
To deepen the study of the subject, we recommend the following resources:
- Book: "Physics for Scientists and Engineers", volume 3, by Raymond A. Serway & John W. Jewett
- Khan Academy website (link)
- YouTube Channel: Ciência em Ação, specifically the video "Electrical Conductors and Insulators"
Practical Activity: Conductors and Insulators in Everyday Life
Project Objective:
The project's objective is for students to study, through practical activities, the differences between conductors and insulators and their practical applications in everyday life. Students should work in groups of 3 to 5 people.
Project Description:
Students should research and identify different everyday objects, classifying them as conductors or insulators. From this, the activity requires the analysis and discussion of why each material is used in its respective application. In addition to identifying conductors and insulators, students should propose substitutes for the identified materials, justifying their choice and possible implications.
Required Materials:
- Everyday objects
- Internet access for research
- Notebook and pen for notes
Step by Step:
- Form groups of 3 to 5 students.
- Each group must select 10 everyday objects and identify if they are made of conductor or insulator materials.
- Students should organize the collected information in a table containing the object's name, the material it is made of, the classification (conductor or insulator), and the reason why the choice of material is important for the object's function.
- For each object, students should suggest another material that could replace the original one, justifying their choice and discussing possible implications (positive or negative).
- Groups should prepare a report describing the process and discussions held, presenting the filled table and their conclusions.
- The reports will be presented to the class, with each group having the opportunity to share their findings and observations.
Project Delivery:
- Final Report: This should be structured in: Introduction (contextualization of the theme and project objectives), Development (theory on conductors and insulators, detailed description of the activities carried out, presentation and discussion of the results obtained), and Conclusions (summary of the main points of the project, lessons learned, and conclusions about the activity). In addition, the used Bibliography must be cited.
- Presentation: Each group must make an oral presentation to the class of approximately 10 minutes, presenting their findings and conclusions. Groups are encouraged to use visual or multimedia resources to enhance their presentation.
Project Duration:
The project was planned to be carried out in one month, considering the time for research, group discussion, report writing, and presentation preparation. It is estimated that each student should spend between 5 to 10 hours of work.
