Unit 11

Circuits
Table of Contents

Table of Contents 1

Introduction 2

Essential Questions 3

Review 3

Lesson 11.1: Lighting Up a Bulb 4

Objectives 4
Warm-Up 4
Learn about It 6
Key Points 10
Web Links 10
Check Your Understanding 10
Challenge Yourself 12

Lesson 11.2: Parallel and Series Circuits 13

Objectives 13
Warm-Up 13
Learn about It 16
Key Points 21
Web Links 21
Check Your Understanding 22
Challenge Yourself 24

Laboratory Activity 25

Performance Task 27

Self Check 29

Key Words 29

Wrap Up 30

References 30

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GRADE 5 | SCIENCE

Unit 11
Circuits

Electricity is a form of energy that plays a vital role in this modern world. It usually
comes from power plants, or stations where electricity is generated. Through
various power plants, electricity is distributed to different households as well as
companies that require the use of it. Many of the products of technology such as
machines are able to function because of the electricity that runs through them.

But how is electricity distributed from power plants to your home? How does the
electricity from sockets reach your appliances and make them work? There are
certain conditions that are necessary for the electricity to flow in a system. Such
conditions are important to consider to ensure the effective and efficient function
of electrical devices.

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 Essential Questions

At the end of this unit, you should be able to answer the following questions.

● What is an electrical circuit?

● How is an open circuit different from a closed circuit?
● What is the role of the switch in an electrical circuit?
● What happens in a short circuit?
● What are the conditions necessary to make a light bulb light?
● How is a series circuit different from a parallel circuit?
● How does the number of loads affect the distribution of electricity in a
certain circuit?
● How does the number of power source affect the quality of light produced by
a bulb in a certain circuit?

Review

● Energy is the ability to do work.

● Electricity is just one of the many forms of energy. It can be produced by
using:
○ hydroelectric power - uses the force of falling water
○ geothermal power - uses the earth’s underground heat
○ solar power - uses the sun’s heat
○ tidal power - uses the force of tides
○ wind power - uses the force of wind
● Materials can be good or poor conductors of electricity.
○ Conductors are materials that allow electricity to flow easily. Most
metals (ex. copper, gold, silver) are good conductors of electricity.
Other nonmetals like water and the human body can conduct
electricity too.
○ Insulators are the opposite of conductors as they do not allow the
flow of electricity. Some examples of insulators are air, rubber, plastic,
wood, and glass.

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 Lesson 11.1: Lighting Up a Bulb

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to:
● define an electric circuit;
● identify the components of an electric circuit;
● differentiate an open circuit from a closed circuit;
● describe a short circuit; and
● infer the conditions necessary to make a bulb light up.

Electricity is used to light homes, buildings, and roads. It also plays an important
role in making most of the appliances to function. Most of these electric devices are
controlled by a switch. When you turn on the switch the electric device
automatically starts to function. How does electricity flow to an electric device?

Warm-Up
Simple Circuit
Materials:
● 1 battery (size D)
● insulated copper wires
● light bulb (1.5 V)
● bulb socket
● pliers
● electrical tape

Procedure:
1. Cut 2 pieces of 10-cm long insulated copper wire.
2. Strip at least 2 cm of insulation from both ends of each wire.
3. Connect one end of the first wire to the positive terminal of the battery.
Secure it with electrical tape.

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 4. Get the second wire and connect one of its ends to the negative terminal of
the battery. Secure it also with electrical tape.
5. Screw the light bulb in the socket.
6. Hold the insulated part of the wires connected to the battery.
7. Let the end of the wires (not insulated) touch each screw on the bulb socket.
8. See what is going to happen to the light bulb.

9. Try removing one end of the wire from the screw of the bulb socket. Observe
what happens.

Guide Questions:
1. How does the activity represent the flow of electricity?
2. What is the role of the battery in lighting up the bulb?
3. Why is the light bulb not lighted when one wire is not connected to the light
bulb?
4. What are the important components for the electricity to flow?

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 Learn about It

Electric current is the movement of electrons along a path that flows from
negative to positive. The path in which the current flows is called a circuit.
Electricity flows in a circuit when there is a source and the path is complete.

Components of a Circuit
An electric circuit includes the following parts:
a. source or supply – an object which provides the necessary energy to make
electricity flow (ex. battery)
b. load – an object that uses the electric energy (ex. bulb, motor in an
appliance)
c. conductor – a wire or a cable in which the electricity runs through and links
the source with the load (ex. copper wire)
d. switch – a controlling device that is used to open or close the electric circuit

Fig. 1. Parts of an electric circuit

Open and Closed Circuit

An electric circuit may be described based on the flow of electric current in it. In the
diagram below, electricity flows from the negative terminal of the battery to its
positive terminal. Notice that the wires are attached to both ends of the battery as
well as to the metal screws of the bulb socket where the bulb is tightly screwed.

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Through this connection, the electric current from the battery can flow completely
up to the bulb, allowing it to light up. This shows a closed circuit. The bulb lights up
in a closed circuit because the electricity flows in a complete path.

Fig. 2. In a closed circuit, electricity flows completely allowing the object to function.

On the other hand, the next diagram shows a wire disconnected from one screw of
the bulb socket. Take note that the bulb does not light up in this kind of circuit
because of the gap between the wire and the terminal (end) of the bulb. This is an
example of an open circuit, where electricity does not flow completely because
there is an incomplete path.

Fig. 3. In an open circuit, the flow of electricity is interrupted due to the break in the
path of the circuit.

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What do you think will happen if you touch the screw of bulb socket? Will the
electricity flow on you? The answer is no. This is because even if your hand is
considered as a conductor, the circuit remains open as long as it is not connected
to the battery. But if you happen to touch one of the screws of the bulb socket and
the end of the wire connected to the battery, the circuit is closed. The electricity will
completely flow from the positive terminal of the battery to the bulb to your hands
then to the wires going to the negative terminal of the battery. This will make you
experience a slight electrical shock. Therefore, touching an open circuit with bare
hands can increase the chances of electrical shocks as it will close the circuit and
complete the flow of electricity.

Short Circuit
A short circuit happens when two or more wires that are not supposed to be
touching each other becomes in contact. The path of the flow of electricity becomes
shorter which leads to the higher amount of electricity flowing in a certain direction.

Fig. 4. In a short circuit, the electricity flows in a shorter path due to the unexpected
contact between two wires.

Since there is no load in the path where electricity flows in a short circuit, the
electricity builds up in this direction. This causes overheating which results in
melting of wires, formation of sparks with smoke and sometimes, it leads to a fire.

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 Fig. 5. Two wires that are in contact results in formation of sparks. This shows
overheating in an electrical circuit which can be a source of fire if left undetected.

Roles of Switches
Switches are used in electric devices to open or close the circuit. It simply turns on
or off the flow of electricity in a circuit. For example, when you turn on the switch of
a certain device, the circuit is closed. The conductor from the switch becomes
connected to the wire, allowing the electricity to flow completely. When you
shutdown the device, you turn the switch off to open the circuit. By opening the
circuit, the flow of electricity is interrupted, disabling the electrical device to work.

Fig. 6. Turning the switch on closes the circuit while turning it off makes the circuit
open.

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 Key Points

● A circuit is a path in which electric current flows.

● An electric circuit includes the following parts: source or supply, load, wire,
and switch.
● An electric circuit may be described as open or closed, depending on the flow
of electric current in it. In a closed circuit, the electricity flows completely
while in an open circuit, the flow of electricity is interrupted.
● A short circuit happens when two or more wires that are not supposed to
be touching each other becomes in contact.

Web Links

For further information on circuits, you can check the following web links:

● Play this game and find out which conductors can light a bulb
in a circuit.
Science Games for Kids. 2016. ‘Circuits and Conductors.’
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/circuitsconductors.html

● Watch this video to learn more about closed and open circuits.
Flexiguru. 2015. ‘Closed and Open Circuit.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4iYlgCEFhw

Check Your Understanding

A. Read and analyze the following statements given. Identify what is being
described in each sentence.
1. It is the path where electric current flows.
2. This is the source of energy in an electric circuit.
3. It opens or closes the circuit.
4. It connects the load and the source.
5. This object consumes the electrical energy in a circuit.

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B. Mark the box check (✓) if the circuit diagram shows a bulb that will light up
and cross (X) if not.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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 C. Read and analyze the following statements. Tell whether the statement is
true or false.
1. Electricity flows completely in an open circuit.
2. A wire that is disconnected to the switch shows a closed circuit.
3. Electric current is the movement of electrons along a path.
4. Electric current flows from the negative end to positive end.
5. A material that has a property of a conductor is often used as a wire in a
circuit.

Challenge Yourself

Answer the following questions briefly.

1. How does an open circuit differ from a closed circuit?
2. What do you think will happen, if by accident you touched an open circuit?
3. How does a switch work?
4. Is it possible to light a bulb in a circuit even without a switch? Why or why
not?
5. How does understanding the components of a circuit be helpful to you as a
student?

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 Lesson 11.2: Parallel and Series Circuits

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to:
● differentiate a parallel circuit from a series circuit;
● determine the effects of changing the number or type of
components in a circuit; and
● enumerate common applications of parallel and series circuits.

During Christmas season, you could see Christmas lights hanging everywhere. In
the past, the whole string of Christmas lights does not light up anymore when one
bulb is busted. But for the modern Christmas lights, the whole string still light up
even if one or two are not working. This may be observed at home too. How many
lights turn on or off when you flip a light switch? How does the arrangement of
components of a circuit affect the flow of electricity in it?

Warm-Up
Series vs Parallel Circuit
Materials:
● 6 pieces of 1.5 V light bulb
● 6 pieces of bulb sockets
● 2 pieces of size D batteries
● insulated copper wire
● pliers
● screwdriver
● electrical tape

Procedure:
1. Prepare setup A.
1.1. Screw 3 light bulbs in each socket.
1.2. Cut 4 pieces of 10-cm long insulated copper wire.

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 1.3. Strip at least 2 cm of insulation from both ends of each wire.
1.4. Using a screwdriver, connect one end of the wire to one screw of the
bulb socket. Do this again until all three bulbs are connected to each
other.

1.5. Attach the wire of the first bulb to the positive terminal of the battery.
Secure it with electrical tape.
1.6. Get the other wire of the last bulb and attach it to the negative
terminal of the battery. Do not put an electrical tape on it so you can
easily break the path of the electric current.

2. Prepare setup B.
1.7. Screw 3 light bulbs in each socket.
1.8. Cut 8 pieces of 10-cm long insulated copper wire.
1.9. Strip at least 2 cm of insulation from both ends of each wire.
1.10. Using a screwdriver, connect one end of the wire to one screw of the
bulb socket. Connect another wire to the other screw of the same bulb
socket. Thus, there will be two wires connected to each bulb socket.

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1.11. Connect the wires from the first bulb socket to the screws of the
second bulb socket. Do this again until all three bulbs are connected to
each other.

1.12. Screw another pair of wires to the screws of the last bulb socket. These
wires will be used to connect to the battery.
1.13. Attach the hanging wire of the last bulb to the positive terminal of the
battery. Secure it with electrical tape.
1.14. Get the other wire of the last bulb and attach it to the negative
terminal of the battery. Do not put electrical tape on it so you can
easily break the path of the electric current.

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 3. Test your Setup A and B. Close the circuit by connecting the loose wires to
the negative terminal of the battery. See what is going to happen to the light
bulbs.
4. Open both circuits by removing one wire from the battery. This time,
unscrew one bulb from each circuit.
5. Test your Setup A and B again by connecting the loose wires to the negative
terminal of the battery. Observe what happens to the light bulbs.

Guide Questions:
1. How is the arrangement of components in a Setup A differ from Setup B?
2. Which setup do you think represents series circuit? Parallel circuit?
3. What happened to the light bulbs in a series circuit when you removed one
bulb? How about in the parallel circuit?
4. What happens to the flow of electric current when one bulb is loosened or
missing in a series circuit? parallel circuit?

Learn about It

As you have learned, a light bulb is a load in a circuit. There are more than one load
or electric device in most electric circuits. These loads or electric devices can be
connected in series or parallel circuits.

Series Circuit
The illustration below shows bulbs that are connected one after another in a single
chain. The battery is connected by wires to all the bulbs. This shows a series circuit
where electric current flows through all the electric devices in one path.

Fig. 7. In a series circuit, electric current flows through all bulbs in one direction.

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The electric current travels from the negative end of the battery, then continue
through the bulbs, and back to the positive end of the battery.

In a series circuit, the bulbs have the same brightness because the same amount of
electric current passes through each load. But, if another bulb is added to the
circuit, all the bulbs will be dimmer because the same amount of current has to do
more work. What happens if one of the bulbs gets busted or removed?

Fig. 8. (A) The brightness of the bulbs is the same since there is equal electric
current passing through each bulb. (B) The brightness of the bulb decreases as
more bulbs are added since the same amount of current has to supply power to
more loads.

Since electric current flows through a single path, when one bulb gets busted or
removed, all the other bulbs in the circuit will not light anymore. The busted or
loosened bulb opens the pathway, so the flow of electric current stops. Replacing
the busted bulb will close the circuit making the other bulbs light up again.

Fig. 9. In a series circuit, when one bulb is busted, the flow of current is interrupted,
causing the other bulbs not to light up also.

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Applications of Series Circuit
A ceiling lamp décor often uses a series circuit. This is to ensure the same amount
of brightness for each bulb when electricity passes through it. You will know that a
ceiling lamp décor has a busted part when it is not lighted even if you turn it on.
Also, most refrigerators use a series system. In fact, it's wirings are connected in
such a way that the electric current will flow in one path.

Fig. 10. A series circuit is often used in making ceiling lamp decors and basic
refrigerator.

Parallel Circuit
Look at the illustration of a parallel circuit below. How will you describe the
connection of the bulbs in this circuit?

Fig. 11. In a parallel circuit, the electric current flows through more than one
direction.

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In a parallel circuit, each bulb is connected to the battery separately. Therefore,
each bulb is a part of a different circuit. Unlike a series circuit, the electric current
flows through more than one path in a parallel circuit.

Some amount of the current available from the source (battery) flows along each
path and through each light bulb. Each bulb in the circuit uses only the amount of
current it needs enough to light up to its full brightness.

Fig. 12. In a parallel circuit, the brightness of the bulb is same throughout (A) even if
there are more loads added to it (B).

But, what happens if you removed one bulb or it gets busted? In a parallel circuit,
when one bulb is loosened, taken out, or burned out, the other bulbs still light up
since each bulb has its own pathway.

Fig. 13. In a parallel circuit, when one bulb is busted, the flow of current is not
interrupted. Therefore, other light bulbs will still light up.

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The break in one pathway does not affect the other bulbs because the electric
current can still flow through the other paths and maintain a complete circuit. You
can place switches along each path in the circuit if you want to turn on or off each
bulb without affecting the others.

If you add more batteries in a circuit, there will be more electric current flowing in
it. There is a possibility for the bulbs to be brighter than its usual brightness when
more than one battery is attached to it. However, there is also a tendency for the
bulbs to be busted and disable them to light up. Most bulbs have limited capacity in
terms of the amount of electric current they can handle. If there is too amount of
electric current flowing in a circuit, load in it might not be able to handle it and
eventually burn or explode. Therefore, the brightness of the bulb depends on the
number of the source in the circuit, as well as the number of loads in it.

Applications of Parallel Circuit

Most lighting system at homes, offices, or even on the streets use parallel circuit.
This is more practical, especially if one light is busted, the rest of the lights will still
work.

Fig. 14. Most lighting systems at home use parallel circuit. Aside from being
cost-efficient, it is more practical to use parallel circuit for light systems since not all
spaces at home require to be lighted at the same time.

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Parallel circuits are also used in receptacle outlets. When both appliances are
plugged into outlets, the electric current flows in each appliance. Even if one
appliance is unplugged, the other appliance will still work because the flow of the
electric current is uninterrupted.

Fig. 15. Electrical wirings in receptacle outlets use parallel circuit.

Key Points

● An electric circuit may be classified as series or parallel.

● In a series circuit, electric current flows through all the devices in one path.
● Unlike series circuit, the electric current flows through more than one path in
a parallel circuit.

Web Links

For further information regarding parallel and series circuits, you can check the
following web links:

● Watch this video to learn more about the differences between

series and parallel circuits.
Makemegenius. 2014. ‘Electrical Circuits - Series and Parallel - For Kids.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js7Q-r7G9ug

● Check this website to know how to build your own virtual series
and parallel circuits.
The FuseBox. 2018. ‘Circuit Builder.’
http://thefusebox.northernpowergrid.com/page/circuitbuilder.cfm

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 Check Your Understanding

A. Read and analyze the following statements given. Tell whether the statement
tells about a series or a parallel circuit.
1. The bulbs are connected to one after another in a single chain.
2. Each bulb is connected to the battery separately, thus, each bulb is a part
of a different circuit.
3. In this circuit, when one bulb is loosened, taken out, or busted, the other
bulbs still light up.
4. When one bulb gets busted or removed, all the other bulbs in the circuit
will not light anymore.
5. The electric current can still flow through the other paths and maintain a
complete circuit.
6. When more bulbs are added in this circuit, the brightness of each bulb
decreases.
7. Each bulb in the circuit uses only the amount of current it needs enough
to light up to its full brightness.
8. The busted or loosened bulb opens the pathway, so the flow of electric
current stops.
9. The bulbs have the same brightness initially but they become dimmer
when more bulbs are added.
10. Each bulb in the circuit uses only the amount of current it needs enough
to light up to its full brightness.

B. Analyze the following circuit illustrations below. Identify if the illustration

shows a series or parallel circuit.

1.

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2.

3.

4.

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 5.

Challenge Yourself

Answer the following questions briefly.

1. How does series circuit differ from parallel circuit?
2. Why is parallel circuit most preferred to use at home’s lighting system?
3. What are the disadvantages of using a series circuit in a lighting system?
4. What do you think will happen if you increase the amount of electricity
source in a series or parallel circuit?
5. How does understanding the different types of circuit be beneficial to you in
the future?

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 Laboratory Activity

Activity 11.1
Comparing Series and Parallel Circuits

Objectives
At the end of this laboratory activity, the students should be able to:
● infer what happens when more bulbs are added in a series or parallel circuit;
● describe how the number of power source affect the quality of light
produced by a bulb in a certain circuit; and
● construct series and parallel circuits.

Materials
● 8 light bulbs (1.5 volts each)
● 8 bulb sockets
● insulated copper wire
● 2 9 V batteries
● 4 battery caps
● pliers
● screwdriver
● electrical tape

Safety Alert!
● This activity requires adult supervision. Ask for help from your parents
when you do this especially when stripping and connecting the wires.
● To avoid getting small electric shocks while doing this activity, hold only the
insulated part of the wire when it is connected to the battery.

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Procedure
1. Prepare a series circuit and a parallel circuit with three bulbs and one 9 V
each. You may refer to the steps in the Warm Up Activity of Lesson 2.

2. Test your circuits if they are working properly. Observe the brightness of the
bulbs in each circuit.
3. Connect two more bulbs in each circuit. Then test its brightness by
completing the connection between the battery and bulb sockets of each
circuit. Observe the brightness of the bulbs in each circuit.
4. Disconnect the batteries from the bulb sockets to turn off each circuit. This
time, add another battery to each circuit. Complete the connection again
after adding the battery. Observe the brightness of the bulbs in each circuit
with two batteries.

Observation
Table 1. Brightness of Light Produced in Series and Parallel Circuits
Brightness of Light Bulbs
Type of
Circuit 3 bulbs with 3 bulbs with 5 bulbs with 5 bulbs with
1 battery 2 batteries 1 battery 2 batteries

Series

Parallel

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Guide Questions
1. What happened to the brightness of light produced by each bulb as you add
more bulbs in the circuit?
2. What could be the reason why the brightness of each light bulb was affected
by the number of loads included in the circuit?
3. What happened to the brightness of light produced by each bulb when you
added another battery in each circuit?
4. How does the number of power source affect the quality of light produced by
a bulb in a certain circuit?

Performance Task

Paper Circuit

Goal
● Now that you have learned the different components of an electric circuit, it
is time to apply your knowledge by creating a light-up greeting card.

Role
● In this activity you will apply your knowledge of circuits through paper
circuitry. You will create a pop-up greeting card that lights up when opened.

Audience
● The target audience for this activity will be your classmates. All the pop-up
greeting cards will be displayed in the classroom. Each card must light up
when opened. Students in the class will vote on which greeting card is the
most creative and efficient when it comes to the applied circuitry in it.

Situation
● Recall what you know about the basic components of an electric circuit. Then
research on what materials can you substitute in applying the concept of
electric circuit on paper. Some materials that you may want to explore are
coin battery (same as a watch battery), copper, adhesive tape, and also LED
bulbs.

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Product, Performance, and Purpose
● Once you are equipped with the knowledge of paper circuitry, design a
pop-up greeting card. The greeting card must have at least one bulb that
lights up when opened. It should also be appealing to catch the attention of
your classmates.

Standards and Criteria

Your performance will be graded by the following rubric.

Needs Successful Exemplary

Below Expectations,
Criteria 0% to 49%
Improvement Performance Performance
50% to 74% 75% to 99% 100%

Content. The content of the The content is The content is The content is
card is appropriate but appropriate and appropriate with a
The content of the
inappropriate and not coherent. has an very encouraging
greeting card is
not coherent. encouraging message.
appropriate and
message.
encouraging.

Creativity. The greeting card The greeting card The greeting card The greeting card
design does not design somewhat design is original design shows
The card design
show ingenuity or lacks ingenuity but may still be ingenuity and
shows ingenuity and
originality. and originality. presented in a originality.
originality.
more creative
manner.

Functionality. The paper circuitry The paper circuitry The paper circuitry The paper circuitry
is incorrect and is incorrect since is correct and the is correct and is
The paper circuitry is
the LED bulb did the LED bulb lights LED bulb lights up perfectly working.
correct and makes
not light up at all. up even if the card but shows a glitch
the LED bulb light up
is not opened. when the card is
when the card is
opened or closed.
opened.

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 Self Check

After studying this unit, can you now do the following?

Check I can…

define electric circuit.

differentiate open circuit from closed circuit.

differentiate a series circuit from a parallel circuit.

explain how the number of load affects the distribution of electricity

in a certain circuit.

explain how the number of power source affect the quality of light
produced by a bulb in a certain circuit.

Key Words

Circuit It is the path where electric current flows.

Conductor It is a wire or cable in which electricity runs through.

Electric current It is the movement of electrons along a path that flows

from negative to positive.
Load It is a part of a circuit which uses electric energy from
the source.
Parallel circuit This type of circuit is where electric current flows
through more than one path.
Series circuit This type of circuit is where electric current flows
through all the electric devices in one path.
Source It is a part of the circuit which provides the necessary
energy to make electricity flow.
Switch This is a device that is used to open or close a circuit.

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 Wrap Up

Circuit

References

Kwa Siew Hwa et al. 2012. My Pals Are Here Science. Marshall Cavendish Education,
Inc. Singapore

Peters, Joseph M. and Stout, David L. 2011. Science in Elementary Edition, Methods,
Concepts, and Inquiries. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc., U.S.

Handwerker, Mark J. 2004. l.Science Essentials Elementary Level. New York:

Jossey-Bass Inc., U.S.

Gega, Peter C. and Peters, Joseph M. 1998. Concepts and Experiences in Elementary
School Science. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc., U.S.

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