Precious M.

Balguna
BSE III-C
A Semi-detailed lesson plan in Physics 140: Electric Current and
The Human Body
I.

Objectives
At end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Explain why human body is a good conductor of electricity
2. Define electrocution
3. Understand the physiological effects of current in the human body
4. Internalize the precautionary measures to reduce the risk of electrically related
accidents
5. Explain why electricity is vital but deadly

II.

Subject Matter
A. Topic: Electric Current and the human Body
B. Concepts:
1. The human body is a conductor of electricity.
2. Electric current has physiological effects to the human body depending on severity.
3. The actual resistance of the body varies depending upon the points of contact and the
skin condition.
4. Precautionary measurements are needed to avoid electrically-related accidents and
during electrocution.
5. Electricity is vital but deadly.
C. Materials
Manila paper, illustration board, pictures, blackboard, chalk, activity sheets
D. Values integration
Respect for ones views
Curiosity as to how human body conducts electricity
Confidence in answering questions and sharing insights
Cooperation in group activities
E. References
Folliot,D. (2011). Physiological effect of electric current. ILO Encyclopedia of
Occupational Health and Safety. Retrieved 21 August 2014 from
http://www.wikilectures.eu/index.php/Physiological_effect_of_electric_current
Liu, L. (2009). Electricity dos and donts. Parents Magazine Retrieved 21 August 2014
from http://www.parents.com/baby/safety/babyproofing/electricity-dos-anddonts/

Pabellon, J. and Tubal, G. (2000). Science and Technology for a better life. Makati City:
Diwa Scholastica Press Inc.
Pople, S. (1989). Coordianated science:Physics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Physics, science and technology (3rd Ed)
Sharma,H.C. and Prasad D. (2010). Electricshock and humanbody. Medwell Journals.
Retrieved 21 August 2014 from http://www.medwelljournals.com/fulltext/?doi
=ijepe.2010.177.181
III.

Learning Tasks/Activities
TEACHERS ACTIVITIES
A. Motivation/Review
The teacher divides the class into three and
distributes illustration boards to each group for
a picture guessing game.
The teacher asks the students about their initial
knowledge on the following:
electric current
electrocution
octopus plugging
overloading

STUDENTS ACTIVITIES
The students write the electrical term/s that
corresponds to each picture.
The students
knowledge.

share

their

background

B. Presentation
The teacher shows the picture of the The students answer that the man was
electrocuted man and asks why the man was electrocuted because the human body is a
electrocuted.
good conductor of electricity.
The teacher asks why the human body is a The students answer that the human body is
good conductor of electricity.
a good conductor of electricity because it is
70% water.
The teacher asks for other reasons why the The students answer that the human body is
human body is a good conductor of electricity. a good conductor of electricity also because
blood is made up of Iron and Iron is a
metal.
The students answer that the human body is
a good conductor of electricity because our
fluids contains electrolytes which are
mainly salts.
The teacher conducts a simple game called
Matched!. The class is divided into two and
a set of current value/range of values is given
and the students match the amount of current
to its physiological effect.
C. Discussion
The teacher presents the table of Physiological
Effects of Current with the amount of current
and their corresponding effects and checks the

The students match the current value/range

to what they think is its physiological
effect.

The students listen and react

students answers at the same time.

The teacher shows a picture of the human
bodys resistance to electricity and would ask
the students to draw ideas from the picture.
The teacher adds that skin condition may also
affect the bodys resistance to electricity
The teacher adopts the grouping of the students
dividing the class into three (used during the
picture-guessing game). The teacher gives a
true or false quiz about the Dos and Donts
regarding the precautionary measures in
handling electrically-related materials.

The students will answer that the resistance

of the body varies upon the points of
contact.

The students write their answers on their

boards and raise the boards afterwards.

The teacher presents the Electricity Dos and The students listen and react
Donts
The teacher asks about the benefits we get The students will state the benefits they are
from electricity.
getting from electricity in complete
sentences.
The teacher asks about the danger-potentials of The students will give situations where
electricity.
electricity becomes dangerous/
disadvantageous.
D. Generalization
The teacher asks the students to explain the The students will expound the following
following topics briefly:
topics based on the discussion.
Human body is a good conductor of electricity
Physiological effects of electricity
Resistance of the various parts of the body
The dos and donts of electricity
E. Application
The teacher lets the students conduct a simple The students will form two factions, one
debate choosing between the topics:
group will explain and defend the benefits
Electricity is vital but deadly
and advantages of electricity and the other
Electricity may heal or kill
group will explain and defend the dangers
and disadvantages of electricity.
IV.

Evaluation
Direction: Read each item carefully then choose the letter of the best answer. Write your
answer on the space provided before each number.
___ 1. It occurs when current passes through the human body.
a. Electrocution
c. both a and b
b. Electric shock
d. none of these
___ 2. Whys is the human body a good conductor of electricity?
a. The human body is mainly composed of water only
b. The water inside the human body contains electrolytes
c. The blood contains iron
d. All of the above

___ 3. Electrocution intensity depends on _________

a. voltage
c. resistance
b. amount of current
d. all of these
___ 4. The effects of electric current _____
a. is the same to any man regardless
of the age
b. differs from adults to children

c. varies with gender

d. both b and c

___ 5. The amount of current where fibrillation of the heart, muscular contraction and
nerve damage occur
a. 10 A
c. 50-150 mA
b. 1-4.3 A
d. 9-30 mA
____ 6. It is the threshold of feeling
a. 1x10-3 A
b. 1x10-2 A

c. 10 mA
d. 0.1 mA

___ 7. When your friend is being electrocuted

a. pull him right away
b. call 911
c. use a nonconductive material to separate the victim from the
electrical source
d. splash your friend with water
___ 8. You have lots of electrical cords at home, what will you do with them?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Allow the cords to hang off countertops

Run them under your rugs
Place them near your sink
None of these

___9. The electrical resistance between the ears

a.
b.
c.
d.

is five times greater than the resistance of the hand and foot
is just 20% of the resistance of the hand and foot
is one thirds of the resistance of the hand and foot
has equal resistance with the hand and foot

___ 10. Seven hundred fifty volts is more lethal than 75 volts.
a.
b.
c.
d.

V.

absolutely true
absolutely false
they may have same effects depending on the situation
true in most cases

Assignment
a. Refer to some FIRST AID books in the library and list down other first aid treatments
you can apply when a person is electrocuted
b. Be ready to share the before the class

ACTIVITIES GIVEN
Activity 1 (Picture Guessing Game)
Direction: Guess what electrical term is being portrayed by the pictures.

ELECTROCUTION

OCTOPUS PLUGGING

OVERLOADING

Activity 2 (Matched!)
Direction: Match the amount of currents to their corresponding physiological effect.
1 mA

Threshold of feeling, tingling

6-25 mA (women)

Slight shock. Not painful. Average individual can let go. Involuntary reaction can lead
to indirect injuries
Painful shocks. Loss of muscle control

9 to 30 mA (men)
1 to 4.3 A

Freezing current, "can't let go". The person may be thrown away from the power
source. Individual cannot let go. Strong involuntary reaction can lead to involuntary
injuries

10 A

Extreme pain. Respiratory arrest. Muscles reactions. Possible Death.

Fibrillation of the heart. Muscular contraction and nerve damage occur. Likely death.
Cardiac arrest, severe burns. Death is probable

Activity 3 (Do or Dont?)

Direction: Write Do if the statement is a proper way of dealing with electrically-related
equipment/situations, otherwise, write Dont.
1. Cover all electrical outlets and wall switches with metal coverplates, and replace any that are
damaged.
2. Attach a cord to another surface with nails or staples so that they will stay in place.
3. Plug one extension cord into another to reduce power consumption.
4. Look out for overhead power lines every time you use a ladder or pole. Stay at least 10 feet away
from any electrical lines.
5. Disguise transformers or meters with paint or bushes - a utility worker might need to work safely
around it or find it quickly in an emergency.
6. Hang signs on utility poles.
7. Tamper an electric meter.