Конспект урока по английскому языку на тему The nature of electricity

THE NATURE OF ELECTRICITY

Practical electricity is produced by small atomic particles known as electrons. It is the movement of these particles which produce the effects of heat and light.

The pressure that forces these atomic particles to move, the effects they encounter opposition and how these forces are controlled are some of the principles of electricity.

Accepted atomic theory states that all matter is electrical in structure. Any object is largely composed of a combination of positive and negative particles of electricity. Electric current will pass through a wire, a body, or along a stream of water. It can be established in some substances more readily than in others, that all matter is composed of electric particles despite some basic differences in materials. The science of electricity then must begin with a study of the structure of matter. Matter is defined as any substance which has mass (or weight) and occupies space. This definition should be broad enough to cover all physical objects in the universe. Wood, water, iron, and paper are some examples of matter. Energy is closely related to, but not to be confused with, matter. Energy does not have mass, and it does not occupy space. Heat and light are examples of energy.

The smallest particle of matter which can be recognized as an original substance was thought to be a unit called the atom. Recently scientists have found particles even smaller than atoms, but our theories are still based on the atom. The atom consists of a nucleus and a cloud of electrons. It is generally agreed that the electrons are small particles of electricity, which are negative in nature. These particles orbit the nucleus in much the same fashion that planets orbit a sun.

II. Guess the meaning of the following international words:

Electricity, electron, effect, structure, combination, material, mass, energy, atom, orbit

III. Give the English equivalents for the words below:

1) производить; 2) частица; 3) тепло и свет; 4) напряжение; 5) сила; 6) вещество; 7) положительный; 8) отрицательный; 9) электрический ток; 10) вес; 11) ядро

IV. Translate into Russian the words and expressions from the text:

1) atomic particle; 2) effects of heat and light; 3) encounter opposition; 4) principles of electricity; 5) composed (of); 6) pass through a wire; 7) structure of matter; 8) occupy space; 9) physical objects; 10) a cloud of electrons; 11) in the same fashion.

V. Complete the sentences using the text:

1. Electricity is produced by …

2. The effects of heat and light are produced by …

3. According to the accepted atomic theory all matter is …

4. Any object is composed of …

5. Matter is defined as …

6. Energy must not be confused with …

7. The atom consists of …

8. The smallest particle of matter is …

9. Most theories are based on …

10. Electrons are …

VI. Answer the questions:

1) What are the principles of electricity? 2) What must the science of electricity begin with? 3) Are there any differences between energy and matter? What are they? 4) What is recognized as an original substance now?

VII. Topics for discussion:

1. The nature of electricity;

2. The nature of matter;

3. Contents of atomic theory.