Debating the use of electric cars (non-statutory) | Science

Starter quiz

Which of these are ways that you can provide electricity to electrical appliances
- burning wood
- mains plug sockets ✓
- food
- batteries and cells ✓
- water
A ______ is a small building or structure, usually made of glass or plastic, which is used to keep plants warm while they grow.
- 'greenhouse' ✓
Different types of transport use different things to make them move. Match the transport to how it is made to move.
- car
  
  ⇔
  
  petrol or diesel ✓
- bicycle
  
  ⇔
  
  human movement ✓
- sailing boat
  
  ⇔
  
  wind ✓
A ______ is the remains or traces of living things that are sometimes preserved in rock.
- skeleton
- pictue
- fossil ✓
- body
What do you call a material that can be burned to give heat or light or to make engines work?
- water
- fuel ✓
- power
- solar panel
How is electricity generated at traditional power plants?
- By harnessing lightning.
- By burning fossil fuels. ✓
- By using people or animals to turn wheels.
- By rubbing things to make sparks.

Exit quiz

______ fuels are made over millions of years, from fossilised plants and animals buried deep beneath the earth.
- 'Fossil' ✓
What do traditional cars use to make them move?
- water
- petrol ✓
- electricity
- friction
- diesel ✓
Gases which contribute towards global ______ are called greenhouse gases.
- 'warming' ✓
Which of these gases is a greenhouse gas emitted from petrol and diesel cars?
- oxygen
- helium
- carbon dioxide ✓
- air
Which of these are advantages of electric cars compared to petrol and diesel cars?
- They produce no carbon dioxide when being driven. ✓
- They produce oxygen when driving.
- They are cheaper to buy.
- They are cheaper to run. ✓
Why do scientists hold debates?
- To practise speaking in public.
- To share different ideas and come up with solutions or decisions. ✓
- To meet other scientists.

Worksheet

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Presentation

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Traditional cars use petrol and diesel to make them move, whereas electric cars move using electricity from a battery.
Carbon dioxide, emitted from petrol and diesel cars, is a greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming.
Pure electric cars produce no carbon dioxide emissions when driving.
Some cities have all electric public transport in order to lower carbon dioxide emissions and reduce air pollution.
There has been public debate about the use electric of vehicles, with people on different sides citing pros and cons.

Common misconception

There is an endless supply of fossil fuels on Earth. There are no downsides to electric cars.

Teaching slides will explain that fossil fuel is a finite resource. Children will have the chance to research the pros and cons of electric cars. Feedback slides will clarify these.

Keywords

Fuel - A fuel is something that can be used to generate heat or light..
Emissions - Emissions are materials released into the environment from a particular process.
Carbon dioxide - Carbon dioxide is a type of gas found in Earth's atmosphere.
Greenhouse gas - Gases which contribute towards global warming are called greenhouse gases.
Debate - A debate is a formal discussion in which opposing ideas are put forward and which usually ends with a vote.