Level 3: Static and current

Electricity and magnetism · level 3 of 8 · rough age 9-10 (a guide for parents; anyone can start anywhere)

Rub a balloon on your hair and it sticks to the wall. That is static electricity: charge that has built up and stays put. When charge moves, it is a current. This level meets both, from crackling jumpers to lightning, and ends with the tiny sparks a rover heard crackling in the dust devils of Mars.

Lesson	You will be able to
Static electricity	Charge a balloon by rubbing and say what has moved
Charges push and pull	Predict whether two charged things pull together or push apart
Sparks and lightning	Explain what a spark is and why lightning happens
Current is moving charge	Tell static electricity from a current
Dust that clings	Explain why dust sticks to screens, panels and suits
Sparks on Mars	Say what Perseverance heard, and why sparks form so easily in Mars air

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