Starter quiz
- Match the following components to their function.
- voltmeter⇔measures voltage across a component ✓
- ammeter⇔measures current through a component ✓
- resistor⇔opposes the flow of current around a circuit ✓
- electrical lead⇔allows current to flow around a circuit ✓
Which of the following is the voltage of the batteries shown?- 20 V
- 3 V
- 1.5 V ✓
- 2 V
-
- Which of the following is the voltage of the domestic mains electricity supply in the UK?
- 400 000 V
- 25 000 V
- 230 V ✓
- 9 V
- 1.5 V
-
- Two batteries can be used to light a bulb. The batteries have the same voltage, but one is larger than the other. Which two of the following statements are correct?
- The larger battery will light the bulb brighter.
- The larger battery will light the bulb for longer. ✓
- Both batteries will light the bulb at the same brightness. ✓
- Both batteries will light the bulb for the same time.
-
Which of the following components does the circuit symbol shown represent?- resistor
- motor
- voltmeter
- ammeter
- buzzer ✓
-
- A voltmeter must be placed into a circuit in order to measure the voltage of a component. Which of the following statements is correct?
- The voltmeter must be placed across the component. ✓
- The voltmeter must be placed in series with the component.
- The voltmeter must be placed before the component.
- The voltmeter must be placed after the component.
-
Exit quiz
- A 1.5 V battery is connected to a 6 V bulb in a series circuit. Which of the following statements about the circuit is correct?
- the bulb would be dim ✓
- the bulb would be bright
- the bulb would blow
- the bulb wouldn't light
-
- A battery is connected to four identical bulbs in a series circuit. Which of the following statements about the circuit is correct?
- The voltage across each of the bulbs will be different.
- The bulb nearest the positive terminal will be brightest.
- The bulb nearest the negative terminal will be brightest.
- he voltage across each of the bulbs will be the same. ✓
-
The battery shown is made from three, identical 1.5 V cells that are aligned correctly. Which of the following is the total voltage supplied by the battery?- 1.5 V
- 3.0 V
- 4.5 V ✓
- 6.0 V
-
The battery in the circuit shown is made from two, identical 3 V cells. Which of the following is the reading that would be displayed on the voltmeter?- 1 V
- 3 V
- 6 V ✓
- 9 V
-
The battery in the circuit shown is made from two, identical 1.5 V cells. Which of the following is the reading that would be displayed on the voltmeter?- 1.5 V
- 3.0 V ✓
- 4.5 V
- 6.0 V
-
All of the bulbs in the circuit diagram shown are identical. Which of the following is the correct voltage across bulb 1?- 1 V
- 2 V ✓
- 4 V
- 8 V
-
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The voltage of a battery measures the strength with which it can ‘push’ current around a circuit.
- The voltage of a component in an electric circuit measures the size of ‘push’ that is moving current through it.
- The voltage across each component in an electric circuit adds up to the voltage of the battery.
- A battery can be made of several electrical cells added together.
- The voltage of a battery made of electrical cells added in series is equal to the voltages of the cells added together.
Common misconception
Students confuse ideas of voltage and current, they think of voltage as part of the current. Many also have difficulty in applying their concepts of current (and voltage) to novel situations.
Give students the opportunity to reflect on voltage as an ‘electric push’ and current as a flow of electric charge by considering how current is pushed through a bulb, and the effects that the current has on the bulb.
Keywords
Voltage - Voltage is a measure of the ‘strength’ of the ‘push’ of a battery that sends charge round a circuit.
Potential difference - Potential difference is another name for voltage.
Volt - Voltage (or potential difference) is measured in volts (V).
Battery - A battery is a combined component that uses a chemical reaction to push electric charge round a circuit.
Electrical cell - An electrical cell is an individual unit which can be connected to other cells to make a battery of cells.