CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet: 9.1A
What is current?
1 The diagram shows a cell. One of the terminals of the cell is labelled. Label the other terminal of
the cell.

2 A cell makes electrons flow in a circuit.

Which of these describes electrons? Tick () one box.
Electrons are small particles with a positive charge.

Electrons are large particles with no charge.

Electrons are small particles with a negative charge.

Electrons is another name for wires.

3 a The diagram shows part of a wire in a circuit where current is flowing.
The end of the wire that connects to the negative terminal of the battery is shown.
Use an arrow to show the direction that the electrons move in the wire.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

b Describe what happens to the flow of electrons when the:

i current increases

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ii current decreases

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iii current stops

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet: 9.1B
What is current?
Clues for Worksheet 9.1A
4 The answer has the opposite meaning of ‘negative’.
5 Electrons are small particles and they do have a charge, but what is the charge?
6 Remember that opposite charges attract and like charges repel.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet: 9.1C
What is current?
1 Some wires can allow a higher current to flow than others.
The table gives information about electrons contained in each atom of a wire. An atom is another type
of particle found in all materials.

Material in the wire Total number of electrons in one atom

copper 29

iron 26

aluminium 13

tin 50

lead 82

Read these two facts about electrons:

• When current flows in a wire, only some of the electrons can move.
• It is easier for electrons to move in some materials than in others.
Use information in the table and the two facts to suggest reasons for the following statements.
a Copper is the easiest material in the table for electrons to flow.

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b Lead is the most difficult material in the table for electrons to flow.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet: 9.2A
Circuit symbols and diagrams
1 The diagram shows the circuit symbol for a cell.

a Use appropriate symbols to label the terminals of the cell.

b Complete the diagram in the space above to show a circuit where one lamp can be on or off.
Your circuit should show the circuit when the lamp is off.
c State what the straight lines in a circuit diagram represent.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

2 In the spaces below, draw two more circuit diagrams.

a A circuit where a buzzer can be on or off.
Your circuit should show the buzzer when it is on.

b A circuit where a buzzer and a lamp can be on or off at the same time.
Your circuit should show the buzzer and lamp when they are both off.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet: 9.2B
Circuit symbols and diagrams
Clues for Worksheet 9.2A
1 a The shorter, thicker line is the negative terminal.
b The circuit needs to be extended to have a lamp and a switch, but think what way to draw the
switch.
2 a and b. Think what components the circuit will need. These circuits are different from 1b, as you
have to include all the components yourself. Think carefully how to draw the switch in both a and b.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet: 9.2C
Circuit symbols and diagrams
3 Look at the drawing of a circuit.

a In the space below, draw a circuit diagram for this circuit.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

b Explain why circuit diagrams are used instead of drawings to show circuits.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet: 9.3A
Understanding current
1 The picture shows an ammeter.

a Draw the circuit symbol for an ammeter in the space below.

b Write the largest current that could be measured with the ammeter in the picture. ______________

2 Marcus has a circuit with a cell, an ammeter and some clips. He also has some other components and
materials. Marcus measures the current in the circuit with the cell and two lamps.
State how the current will change when Marcus replaces one of the lamps with:

a two more identical lamps __________________________________________________________

b a piece of copper wire _____________________________________________________________

c a piece of plastic. ________________________________________________________________

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

d Explain your answer to c.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet: 9.3B
Understanding current
Clues for Worksheet 9.3A
1 a The circuit symbol includes the letter A.
b What is the largest number printed on the scale?
2 a More lamps make it more difficult for current to flow.
b It is easier for current to flow through copper wire than through a lamp.
c Is plastic a conductor or an insulator?
d Think about whether plastic is a conductor or insulator and how these affect current.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

Worksheet: 9.3C
Understanding current
1 The diagram shows how power lines are supported by a metal structure called a pylon and other parts
made from glass.

The parts in the diagram that are made from glass are labelled. All of the other parts are made from
metal.

a State the name given to a material that does not conduct electricity, such as glass. ______________

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b Explain why glass does not conduct electricity.

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c Suggest why the parts in the diagram are made from glass.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY SCIENCE 7: UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY

d Which way will current flow in the diagram?

Tick () one box.
FEC

FABC

FAD

F  A, B and E  C

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