Activity 1.8 - Electrical conductivity of plastic materials

Learning Aims:
  • Find out electrical conductivity of plastic and compare electrical conductivity of plastic and other materials.
  • Give examples of usage of electrical (non)conductivity of plastic in practice.
Materials:
  • Source of electricity, electric bulb, different kinds of plastic, cotton, metal and wood

Suggestions for use:
  • In groups discuss electrical conductivity of plastic materials and that of natural substances (cotton, wood, metal). Write down your hypotheses and compare them with the results of the experiment afterwards.
  • Carry out the following experiment:Prepare a simple electrical circuit and connect into it a particular kind of plastic, cotton , metal and wood, respectively. Write your findings into the table
  • In groups discuss and tackle the following problem: When Ann came home, she took off her nylon stockings. When she then touched a metallic door handle, she screamed and jumped out of horror. What happened to Ann? What is the substance of the phenomenon? What caused the electric shock?
  • Try to simulate the situation using a plastic bar, cotton cloth and polystyrene balls. Write down the test procedure and findings.