Electricity powers lights, fridges, computers and much more. Some things plug into the mains, and some use batteries. Year 2 scientists learn where electricity comes from and how to stay safe around it.
What your child will learn
- Name things that use electricity
- Know the difference between mains electricity and batteries
- Know how to stay safe around electricity
- Know some ways electricity is made, including from the wind and Sun
Staying safe
Mains electricity is very powerful and can seriously hurt people. Never put anything into a plug socket, keep water away from electrical things, never touch broken wires and stay well away from pylons and substations. Small batteries are much safer for experiments.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. What gives a torch its electricity?
🔦- Batteries
- Paper
- Sand
- Water
Show answer
Answer: Batteries. Torches use batteries.
2. Why should we keep water away from electrical things?
- Water makes them cleaner
- Water and electricity together are dangerous
- Water makes them faster
- It is fine to mix them
Show answer
Answer: Water and electricity together are dangerous. Water can carry electricity and cause a shock.
3. What does a light switch do?
💡- Changes the light’s colour
- Charges your phone
- Turns the light on and off
- Makes it rain
Show answer
Answer: Turns the light on and off. A switch controls the electricity to the light.
Tips for grown-ups
- Walk around your home and list what uses electricity, and what uses batteries.
- Talk about switching off lights to save energy.
- Spot wind turbines or solar panels on journeys.