CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY

ELECTRICITY

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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ELECTRICITY

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

i current increases

ii current decreases

iii current stops

What is current?
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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ELECTRICITY

Worksheet
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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ELECTRICITY

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

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY
ELECTRICITY

Worksheet
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.

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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ELECTRICITY

Worksheet
Circuit symbols and diagrams
1 Look at the drawing of a circuit.

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

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

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