Starter quiz
- In a circuit with one battery and one lamp, what happens to the brightness of the lamp if a second battery is added (in series) into the circuit?
- the lamp gets dimmer
- the lamp gets brighter ✓
- the brightness of the lamp does not change
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- In a circuit with one battery and one lamp, what happens to the brightness of the first lamp if a second, identical lamp is added (in series with the first) into the circuit?
- the brightness of the first bulb does not change
- the first lamp gets dimmer ✓
- the first lamp gets brighter
-
Which component is represented by the symbol shown?- a battery
- a buzzer
- a lamp ✓
- a motor
-
Which component is represented by the symbol shown?- a battery ✓
- a voltmeter
- an ammeter
- a resistor
-
- Which of the symbols shown is used to represent a resistor?
- Which of the following changes would increase the brightness of a lamp in a circuit?
- decrease current
- increase number of lamps
- increase number of batteries ✓
- longer wires
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Exit quiz
- Which of these electrical components have + (plus) and – (minus) terminals?
- batteries ✓
- lamps
- motors
- voltmeters ✓
- ammeters ✓
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- Which of these is required to make a series circuit work correctly?
- there needs to be more than one loop
- it needs to be built starting at a battery
- there should only be one loop ✓
- the circuit should be complete ✓
- there needs to be an insulator in the circuit
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- Which of these is not a rule for drawing circuit diagrams?
- Straight horizontal, or vertical, lines are used for wires.
- Circuit symbols should be in colour. ✓
- Components are shown by circuit symbols.
- Wires and components have no gaps.
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- Which of these pieces of equipment should be used when drawing a circuit diagram?
- a ruler ✓
- a sharp pencil ✓
- a pair of compasses
- a rubber ✓
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- What component is designed to light up when electricity flows though it?
- a motor
- a buzzer
- a lamp ✓
- a heater
-
- Put these steps into the correct order to describe how to build a circuit from a circuit diagram.
- 1⇔Collect the number of components and wires shown in the diagram.
- 2⇔Arrange the components into the correct order.
- 3⇔Starting at any point, connect two components with a wire.
- 4⇔Connect the next component with another wire.
- 5⇔Carry on connecting components until you have a complete loop.
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The names and symbols of basic components of an electric circuit.
- A series circuit is an electric circuit with one complete path from one end of a battery round to the other end.
- A circuit is built systematically following a circuit diagram round in one direction, starting from any point.
- A circuit diagram is drawn systematically following a circuit round in one direction, starting from any point.
- Wires in a circuit diagram are drawn using a ruler for clarity with no gaps that would indicate a break in the circuit.
Common misconception
Pupils often think of a circuit diagram as a map of a circuit when, in fact, it is a stylised representation that is drawn in a particular way to increase its clarity.
Emphasise that the diagram shows the sequence of the components in the circuit, not the position. A component can be moved to a different place but still be in the same sequence.
Keywords
Series circuit - A series circuit is an electric circuit with one complete loop from one end of a battery round to the other end.
Circuit diagram - A circuit diagram is a simple and clear way of showing the setup and components in an electrical circuit.
Circuit symbol - Circuit symbols are used to show electrical components in a circuit. They are simple to draw and easy to recognise.
Complete circuit - A complete circuit is one with no gaps so electricity is able to flow round the circuit.