Contextualization

Electric current is a flow of charged particles, called electrons, that travel through a conductor. This movement of electrons occurs when there is a potential difference (voltage) between two points in an electric circuit. This is the basis of direct current (DC), the unidirectional movement of electrons, and alternating current (AC), where the direction of electrons constantly changes. The unit of electric current measurement in the International System of Units is the ampere.

Studying electric current is essential to understand the operation of devices we use in our daily lives, from a simple cell phone charger to complex industrial equipment. Electric current is responsible for the operation of light bulbs, computers, air conditioners, electric cars, power plants, among others.

Importance of Electric Current

We live in a world highly dependent on electric energy. Therefore, understanding the concept of electric current is crucial to comprehend how this energy is generated and distributed, and how we use this energy in our daily activities. Additionally, it is also important to understand the role of conscious energy consumption, the energy efficiency of devices, and the environmental impact of electric energy generation.

Electric current is one of the fundamental concepts of physics and electrical engineering. Professionals working with electricity use this concept daily and need to have a good understanding of it to perform their activities safely and efficiently.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Waves in the Potato: Exploring Electric Current

Project Objective

The main objective of this activity is to provide students with a practical and playful experience to understand the concept of electric current. Students will assemble a small device to visualize the flow of electrons from a simple tuber: the potato! At the end of this experience, students should be able to understand, in practice, how electric current is generated and some of its applications. This experience will encompass knowledge of physics, chemistry, and mathematics, promoting integrated learning.

Detailed Activity Description

Groups should assemble an electric circuit using a potato as a conductor and an LED bulb to visualize the electric current. The project should be documented step by step with photos, videos, and observations, which should be presented in a final report.

Required Materials

• 1 Medium-sized potato
• 2 Coins of any value
• Conductor wires (preferably with alligator clips to facilitate connection)
• 1 LED bulb (low power, for example, 1.5 Volts)
• 1 Multimeter to measure the current
• Knife for cutting the potato (always under adult supervision)

Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Initially, make two parallel cuts in the potato and insert a coin into each cut (These coins will serve as electrodes).
2. Connect a conductor wire to each of the coins.
3. Connect the other end of one of the wires to the LED bulb. The other end of the second wire should be connected to the other terminal of the LED.
4. If there is enough current, the LED bulb should light up.
5. Use the multimeter to measure the generated current.
6. Document all steps with photos and/or videos.
7. Perform experiments by varying the coins, the size of the potato, and observe if there is a change in the intensity of the electric current.

Project Deliverables and Written Document Formatting

After completing the practical activity, each group of students should prepare a detailed report containing:

• Introduction: Briefly describe what electric current is, its importance in the modern world, and the purpose of this experiment.
• Development: Describe in detail the theory behind electric current and electric potential, explaining how the potato acts as a conductor. Document each step of the experiment, explaining what was done and why. Include the photos and/or videos taken during the activity. Present the results obtained (for example, the measured current) and discuss them.
• Conclusion: Conclude the work by summarizing its main points. Highlight what was learned during the experiment and how it contributed to improving the understanding of electric current. Make a link between the results obtained and the theoretical concept of electric current.
• Bibliography: List all reference sources used, including books, videos, websites, etc.

Remember that the report should be prepared together by the entire group, which will require collaboration, communication, and time management skills. It is expected that each student invest between two to four hours in this project, including conducting the experiment and preparing the report. The report should be submitted one week after the start of the project.