Your kids will love this easy pencil electrolysis activity on electricity. Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.
We’re learning about electrolysis which means to break something part using electricity.
Most of these items you will already have on hand and it’s a fun way for kids to visualize learning more about electricity.
And this simple activity helps demonstrate how electricity can drive chemical reactions.
Too, I have a few vocabulary words for your kids to add to their science journals.
Kids can visualize that when electricity flows through a liquid that conducts electricity (called an electrolyte), it splits the molecules in the liquid into different parts.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS
Next, look at these physical science books to add to your unit study.
10 Books About Physical Science
Physical science varies in topic. It can cover states of matter, forces and motion like push and pull, forms of energy like simple circuits, light and sound to earth and space.
Can you make an ice cube disappear? Put it on a hot sidewalk. It melts into water and then vanishes! The ice cube changes from solid to liquid to gas. This Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out picture book is a fascinating exploration of the three states of matter. This clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom, uses simple, fun diagrams to explain the difference between solids, liquids, and gases. This book also includes a find out more section with experiments designed to encourage further exploration and introduce record keeping.
In Matter: Physical Science for Kids, kids ages 5 to 8 explore the definition of matter and the different states of matter, plus the stuff in our world that isn’t matter, such as sound and light! In this nonfiction picture book, children are introduced to physical science through detailed illustrations paired with a compelling narrative that uses fun language to convey familiar examples of real-world science connections. By recognizing the basic physics concept of matter and identifying the different ways matter appears in real life, kids develop a fundamental understanding of physical science and are impressed with the idea that science is a constant part of our lives and not limited to classrooms and
laboratories
Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters?The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. The Disappearing Spoon masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery.
Jeanne Bendick, through text and pictures, admirably succeeds in bringing to life the ancient Greek mathematician who enriched mathematics and all branches of science. Against the backdrop of Archimedes' life and culture, the author discusses the man's work, his discoveries and the knowledge later based upon it. The simple, often humorous, illustrations and diagrams greatly enhance the text.
Charles Ludwig retells Michael Faraday’s remarkable life story in fictionalized form. Here is the father of the electric motor, the dynamo, the transformer, the generator. Few persons are aware of the brilliant man’s deep Christian convictions and his determination to live by the Sermon on the Mount. For ages 12 to 15.
Book about electricity for children.
Did you know that energy comes from the food you eat? From the sun and wind? From fuel and heat? You get energy every time you eat. You transfer energy to other things every time you play baseball.
Have you ever wondered why a prism turns ordinary sunlight into a rainbow? Isaac Newton knew why. How can a magnet be used to generate electricity? Michael Faraday could have told you. Can you explain how a toaster toasts bread? In this book, author Paul Fleisher answers these and many more questions as he looks at the laws that describe how waves behave. Through simple experiments, detailed illustrations and concepts that are easy to understand, readers are introduced to the basic principles of light, electricity and magnetism in a fun, exciting way.
Have you ever wondered why a 10-tonne boat floats but a tiny pebble sinks? Archimedes knew why. How does a basketball or tennis ball bounce? Robert Boyle could have described how! Can you explain why a hot-air balloon rises but a balloon you blow up drops to the ground? To answer these questions and many more, author Paul Fleisher explains the laws that define how and why liquids and gases behave the way they do. Through simple experiments, detailed illustrations and concepts that are easy to understand, readers are introduced to the basic principles of fluid mechanics in a fun, exciting way.
Explains the concepts of simple and complex machines and mechanical advantage, and describes how wheels, including gears and ball bearings, work
Also, look at more hands-on activities to learn about electricity.
MORE ACTIVITIES ON ELECTRICITY
- Electricity Hands-On Homeschool Science Activity
- Static Electricity Butterfly Experiment
- Electricity STEM: Lighting Up a Shoebox Tiny House
- How A Switch Works -Teaching Kids Electricity !
- How to Make a Homemade Electrical Switch
- Popsicle Stick Flashlight Activity and Facts About the Amazing Nikola Tesla
- How to Make Electric Play Dough
Also, these words to your science journal.
- Electrodes – The materials used in electrolysis that help electricity flow.
- Electrolysis – The process of using electricity to break down a compound (like water into hydrogen and oxygen).
- Conductivity – It is a measure of how easily electricity can flow through a material.
HOW TO DO A PENCIL ELECTROLYSIS EXPERIMENT
First, look at this short list of supplies.
- 2 pencils
- Paper plate (or cardstock/notecard) Scissors
- 9V battery
- Salt
- Water
- Glass jar
- Spoon
- Pencil Electrolysis Experiment Free Printable (Add your email at the bottom of this post to get the free printable to use with this experiment)
Gather all the supplies needed.
Start by carefully removing the metal and eraser from both pencils.
Sharpen all the ends of the pencils. Try to make the pencils the same length.
Fill a jar halfway full with water. Add a pinch of salt. Stir and set aside.
Cut out a circle from the middle of the paper plate.
Add two holes to the middle of the paper plate (no more than 0.5 inches apart)
Place the pencils through the holes and into the water.
Place the pencils inside the water.
Then touch the 9V battery to the two pencil leads.
Watch as bubbles are created!
Electrolysis is in action.
In our experiment, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen gas. The pencils or graphite are used as electrodes.
Too, you can expand this by asking what are electrical conductors versus insulators.
For example, metals and solutions of salts and acids, like water with dissolved salt, are good conductors of electricity.
On the other hand, rubber, glass, and dry wood are examples of insulators that block the flow of electricity.
HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE ELECTROLYSIS EXPERIMENT FREE PRINTABLE
Now, how to grab the free printable. It’s a subscriber freebie.
When you sign up to follow me, you get access to this freebie.
1) Sign up on my email list to follow me and get this freebie and many others.
2) You’ll instantly be directed to download the printable.
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