Circuits

Circuits
 Lesson 01:Charge
 Lesson 02: Circuit Diagrams
 Lesson 03: Series Circuits
 Lesson 04: Parallel Circuits
Which Circuit?
 Lesson 05:Resistance
 Lesson 06: Voltage, Current and Resistance
 Lesson 07: Voltage, Current and Resistance
 Lesson 08:Revision
Stopwatch Graph Home

Glossary
 ammeter – A device used to measure current.
 ampere – The unit used to measure current. Its symbol is A.
 battery – The scientific word for two or more cells that are joined together.
 cell – A chemical source of voltage. The chemicals inside this device react and electrons are pushed out into the
circuit.
 circuit – A complete path that current can travel along.
 current – The rate of flow of electric charge in a circuit. It is measured in amperes (A).
 electron flow – The movement of negatively-charged electrons from a negative terminal around a circuit.
 parallel circuit – A complete circuit that branches into two or more paths.
 potential difference – The scientific name for voltage, measured in volts (V). Measured across a component, it is the
difference in electrical potential energy between the two sides of the component.
 series circuit – A complete circuit in which components are wired one after the other in a continuous loop.
 volt – The unit used to measure potential difference (voltage). Its symbol is V.
 voltmeter – A device used to measure potential difference (voltage).
 voltage – Another name for potential difference. For a cell, it is the amount of energy that the cell gives to each
electron pushed out into the circuit.
 diode – A component that allows current to flow in one direction only.
 light dependent resistor – A component whose resistance changes in response to light intensity.
 ohm – The unit of electrical resistance, named after
Georg Ohm.
 Ohm’s law – Formula used to relate current, voltage and resistance, if the temperature remains constant. R = V/I.
 resistance – The opposition to the flow of charge.
 resistor – A component that opposes the flow of charge.
 thermistor – A component whose resistance changes in response to temperature.
 variable resistor – A component whose resistance can be adjusted to vary the amount of current.

Double Award Syllabus:
 explain why a series or parallel circuit is more appropriate for
particular applications, including domestic lighting (P2.10)
 understand that the current in a series circuit depends on the applied
voltage and the number and nature of other components (P2.11)
 describe how current varies with voltage in wires, resistors, metal
filament lamps and diodes, and how this can be investigated
experimentally (P2.12)
 describe the qualitative effect of changing resistance on the current in
a circuit (P2.13)
 describe the qualitative variation of resistance of LDRs with
illumination and of thermistors with temperature (P2.14)
 recall and use the relationship between voltage, current and resistance:
 voltage = current × resistance V = I × R (P2.15)
 understand that current is the rate of flow of charge (P2.16)
 recall and use the relationship between charge, current and time:
charge = current × time Q = I × t (P2.17)
 recall that electric current in solid metallic conductors is a flow of
negatively charged electrons (P2.18).

Separate Science Syllabus
Energy and Potential Difference in Circuits
 explain why a series or parallel circuit is more appropriate for particular applications, including domestic lighting
 understand that the current in a series circuit depends on the applied voltage and the number and nature of other
components
 describe how current varies with voltage in wires, resistors, metal filament lamps and diodes, and how this can be
investigated experimentally
 describe the qualitative effect of changing resistance on the current in a circuit
 describe the qualitative variation of resistance of LDRs with illumination and of thermistors with temperature
 recall and use the relationship between voltage, current and resistance:
 voltage = current × resistance
 V=I×R
 understand that current is the rate of flow of charge
 recall and use the relationship between charge, current and time :
 charge = current × time
 Q=I×t
 recall that electric current in solid metallic conductors is a flow of negatively charged electrons
 recall that:
 voltage is the energy transferred per unit charge passed
 the volt is a joule per coulomb
Electric charge
 identify materials which are electrical conductors or insulators, including metals and plastics
 recall that insulating materials can be charged by friction
 explain that positive and negative electrostatic charges are produced on materials by the loss and gain of
electrons
 recall that there are forces of attraction between unlike charges and forces of repulsion between like charges
 explain electrostatic phenomena in terms of the movement of electrons
 recall the potential dangers of electrostatic charges, e.g. when fuelling aircraft and tankers
 recall some uses of electrostatic charges, e.g. in photocopiers and inkjet printers
Charge 13/05/23
Aim:
 To generate a charge
 To calculate charge
Starter:
 Where is the static electricity in the picture?

What did Benjamin Franklin do?

How is Static Charge Generated?
 How can you generate static charge?
Around the outside of an

atom are electrons, which
have a negative charge.
The nucleus at the centre of

an atom contains protons, which
have a positive charge.

Charging materials
Video Stopwatch Graph Home

Separate Science
Investigating pairs of charges

Separate Science
Charge
 Insulators can be charged by friction
 If a material is turned positive then electrons have been
lost
 if the material becomes negative the electrons have been
gained
 Like charges repel
 Different charges attract

Demos
 Water
 Paper

Experimenting with static charge

Charge
 The number of electrons (or other ions)
 Symbol: Q
 Units: coulomb (C)
 Charge on 1 electron = 1.6 × 10-19 C
Charge = current x time

(in C) (in A) (in s)
Q uI t Charles–Augustin de
Q Coulomb (1736-1806)
I t
Example questions
Charge (C) Current (A) Time (s)

5 2
0.4 1
20 0.5
50 250
3 60
1) A circuit is switched on for 30s with a current of 3A. How much

charge flowed?
2) During electrolysis 6A was passed through some copper chloride
and a charge of 1200C flowed. How long was the experiment on
for?
3) A bed lamp is switched on for 10 minutes. It works on a current of
0.5A. How much charge flowed?
Separate Science
How are planes refuelled safely?
A build up of static charge
when refuelling a plane could
cause an explosion.
This can be prevented by

joining the delivery tanker and
the fuel tank electrically with a
metal wire.
The wire provides a path for

electricity to flow along, and so
prevents the build up of any metal wire
potentially dangerous static
charge.
Petrol Pump Stopwatch Graph Home

Separate Science
Dangers
 Sparks are caused by electrons moving
 When a plane is refuelling you can get a build up of electrostatic
charges

Separate Science
How does a photocopier work?

Separate Science
What happens in a photocopier?

Separate Science
Inkjet printer A4 paper
Positive
plate
Fine nozzle
Negative
plate
• The ink droplets are charged as they thrust against the nozzle
• The droplets are deflected as they pass between two electrically
charged plates
• The amount of charge, i.e. the size and direction of the voltage, on the
plates keeps changing to drive each droplet to the right place on your
paper
• What charge will the droplets deflected upwardly have? Why?
• They will be negatively charged, because -ve charges are attracted by
the positive plate at the top and repelled by the negative plate at the
bottom. Stopwatch Graph Home
Separate Science
How does spray painting cars work?

Separate Science
How does static charge reduce pollution?
A precipitator in the chimney of a power station uses static
electricity to filter smoke particles from waste gases.
The smoke particles pass positively-

through a charged grid and pick charged
metal plates
up a negative charge.
They are then attracted

to the positively-charged
collecting plates. smoke
particles
The smoke particles lose

their charge and fall back metal grid
down the chimney, so the at a high
waste gases emitted are free voltage
of polluting smoke.

Separate Science
Uses
 Electrostatic charges are used in photocopiers, inkjet printers,
spray paints and precipitators

Separate Science
Static electricity – useful or a problem?

‘Van de Graaff’ generator
Brainiac Stopwatch Graph Home

Anagrams

Multiple-choice quiz

Charge recap
Aim
 To generate a charge
 To calculate charge

Circuit Diagrams 13/05/23
Aim
 Use circuit symbols
 Understand circuit diagrams
Starter: True or False (back of books)

1) Voltage can also be called potential difference.
2) There must be a gap in a circuit for a current to flow.
3) Electrons carry energy round a circuit.
4) A light bulb transfers electrical energy into heat and light.
5) Current is measured in volts.
6) If more electrons start flowing round a circuit the current gets smaller

- - - - -
- -
-
- -
- - - - - -
Circuit symbols

Circuit Symbols
Wire Motor
Connected Wire Fuse
Non connecting wire Buzzer
Cell Diode
Battery Bulb
Resistor
Power supply
Thermistor
Switch
Variable Resistor
Voltmeter
Light Dependant
Ammeter Resistor (LDR)

Could you draw the circuit?

Why Use Circuit Diagrams?

Types of Circuits

- - - - -
- If there is only one path for the -
current we say the bulbs are
- connected in SERIES.
- -
- - - - - -
- - - - -
- Here the current has two
routes. -
-- -
- -
Any circuit with more than one
- route means that the bulbs are
- - -
connected in PARALLEL.
- - - - -
- If a wire is connected around
the bulb all the current will -
- bypass the bulb and it goes out
- -
- - - -
- - - - - -
We call this a SHORT CIRCUIT
Which circuit diagram?

Building Circuits Practise
 1 Power Pack set at 3V 2 Bulbs
 1 Switch 1 Motor
 1 Buzzer 6 Wires
 1 Voltmeter 2 Croc Clips
 Draw each circuit first

 When Connecting Parallel circuits connect up the series
section first.
 make sure you have that right.
 then add at the parallel branch.
 Make sure they connect where the “blobs” are in the
circuit.
 Measure the Voltage across each component and the
power pack and note it down on your circuit diagram
 The buzzers need to be connected the correct way
1 2 3
4 5 6

Circuit Diagrams recap
Aim
 Use circuit symbols
 Understand circuit diagrams
Homework

Series Circuits 13/05/23
Aims:
•To define Current, Voltage and Resistance
•To investigate current and voltage in series circuits
Quiz:
Battery Diode
Power supply
Resistor
Power supply
Thermistor
Switch
Voltmeter Variable Resistor
Voltmeter
Light Dependant

Potential Difference
 The push on electrons in
a circuit.
 so bigger push, faster
electrons, more current,
brighter bulb
 Symbol: V
 Units: volts (V)
 A.k.a. Voltage
Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio

Anastasio Volta (1745-1827)

Current
 The number of electrons
flowing past a point in a circuit.
 So faster electrons or more
electrons, bigger current,
brighter bulb
 Conventional Current flows
from positive to negative
however electrons are
negative so they really flow
from negative to positive
 Symbol: I
André-Marie Ampère
 Units: ampere (A) (1775-1836)
(ampere = amps)

Representing current direction

Resistance
 How hard it is for a
current to flow through
a material.
 So bigger resistance but
same voltage gives a
smaller current
 Symbol: R
 Units: ohms (Ω)
George Simon Ohm

(1789-1854)

Analogy 1: Cross Country Run
 Copy down the sketch on the board and annotate it.
 USE MOST OF A PAGE LEAVE SPACE FOR FURTHER ADDITIONS
NEXT LESSON
 PE Teachers = Voltage
 Pupils = electrons
 Rate of pupils moving = Current
 Other Teachers counting Pupils = Ammeter
 Obstacles = Resistances (e.g. Resistors, bulbs, motors ...)
 Short cuts = Short circuits

Experiment
 Follow the experiment sheet
 DO NOT WRITE ON THE SHEET

Series circuits – experiment
NOTE: Voltage Reading on 3 bulbs, 1 battery is wrong should be 0.67 V

Current in a Series Circuit
 Copy the circuit into your books
 Measure the current at points A1, A2 and A3
 Write down your readings:
 What has happened to the current?
A1 =
A2 =
A3 =
A1 A3
A1 = A2 = A3
A2
• Electrons are never ever used up

• So, the current is the same in all parts of a series circuit.

Voltage in a Series Circuit
 Measure the voltage at points V1, V2 and V3
V1
V1 =
V2 =
V3 =
V1 = V2 + V3
V2 V3
• In a series circuit, the voltage supplied by the battery is shared by
the components.
• So, the sum of the voltage across the components equals the battery
voltage.

Series Circuits recap
Aims:
•To define Current, Voltage and Resistance
•To investigate current and voltage in series circuits

Parallel Circuits 13/05/23
Aims:
•To experimentally establish the behaviour of current
and voltage in parallel circuits
Starter: (back of books)

Which is the odd one out?
A B C D
Potential Difference Across Cells
 Batteries are made of multiple cells
 For instance a car battery has at least 6
 To work out the voltage of the battery just add
together the voltage of the cells.
Q: What is the total potential difference of 2 x 1.5V

batteries in series?
A: V = 1.5 + 1.5
=3V
Work out the Potential Difference of the Following
(don’t forget positive and negative ends)
a) b)
1.5+1.5+1.5 = 4.5V 1.5-1.5 = 0V
c) d)
1.5+1.5-1.5 = 1.5V 1.5+1.5-1.5-1.5 = 0V

Experiment
 Follow the experiment sheet
 DO NOT WRITE ON THE SHEET

Parallel Circuits – Experiment

Current in a Parallel Circuit
 Measure the current at points A1, A2 and A3
 What has happened to the current?
A1 =
A1 A6 A2 =
A3 =
A4 =
A3 A5 A5 =
A6 =
A1 = A2 + A3
A2 A4
A4 + A5 = A6
• The electrons must choose which way to go

• So, the current is not the same in all parts of a parallel circuit.

Potential difference in parallel circuits
V1
 Measure the voltage at points
V1, V2 and V3
V2  Write down your readings:
V1 =
V2 =
V3 =
V 1 = V2 = V 3
V3
In a parallel circuit, the potential difference across each

bulb is the same as the potential difference across the
battery.
Summary
Current Voltage
Split up across
Series Stays the same
components
Split up between
Parallel Stays the same
branches
Movie Stopwatch Graph Home

Comparing circuits

Uses of Circuits
There are two main reasons why parallel circuits are used more
commonly than series circuits:
1) Extra appliances (like bulbs) can be added without affecting the
output of the others (they are all as bright as each other)
2) If one appliance breaks it won’t affect the others either

An example question:
6V
A3
3A
A1
V1
A2
V2 V3
6V
3A
3A
2A
6V
1A
3V 3V
Resistance 13/05/23
Aims:
•To understand the affect of increasing resistance
•To use Ohm’s law
•To interpret a current voltage graph
Starter:

Which Resister is Which?
1. Setup the circuit

2. Use the power pack to
change the voltage
3. Make sure you get at least 5
A
different results.
4. Write your results in a table
5. Repeat for the other two
resisters
6. Plot your results on a graph
7. V on the X axis
V
8. I on the Y axis
9. Calculate the gradient of
your graph (1/gradient = the
resistance of the resistors)
I

Ohms Law
Resistance is anything that will RESIST a

current. It is measured in Ohms, a unit
named after me.
The resistance of a component can be George Simon

calculated using Ohm’s Law: Ohm 1789-1854
Voltage = Current x Resistance

V
(in V) (in A) (in )
Very = Important x Rabbits I R

Ammeter
reads 2A
V 1) What is the resistance across this bulb?
2) Assuming all the bulbs are the same what

is the total resistance in this circuit?
Voltmeter
reads 10V
Resistance recap
Aims:
•To understand the affect of increasing resistance
•To use Ohm’s law
•To interpret a current voltage graph

Voltage, Current and Resistance 1 13/05/23
Aims:
• To use Ohm’s law
• To interpret a current voltage graphs of diodes, bulbs
and resistors
Starter: Copy and Complete the Table
Symbol Units Unit Symbol

Charge Q coulomb C
Current I Amps
Resistance R
Voltage
Power
Energy

Ohmic Resistor:
I

Ohms Law
Resistance is anything that will RESIST a

current. It is measured in Ohms, a unit
named after me.
The resistance of a component can be George Simon

calculated using Ohm’s Law: Ohm 1789-1854
Voltage = Current x Resistance

V
(in V) (in A) (in )
Very = Important x Rabbits I R

Ammeter
reads 2A
1) What is the resistance across this

V
bulb?
2) Assuming all the bulbs are the same
what is the total resistance in this
Voltmeter circuit?
reads 10V
Homework Worksheet Stopwatch Graph Home

Voltage and Current in a Diode
1. Setup the circuit

2. Use the Rheostat to change
the voltage
3. Make sure you get at least
A
10 different results both A
positive and negative.
4. Write your results in a
table
5. Plot your results on a graph
6. V on the X axis V
V
7. I on the Y axis
8. Repeat for a bulb

Investigating current and voltage

Voltage, Current and Resistance 1 recap
Aims:
and resistors

Voltage, Current and Resistance 2 13/05/23
Aims:
and resistors

Current voltage graphs

Is resistance the same in all wires?
copper
current (A)
nichrome
voltage (V)
This means that the copper wire has a lower resistance than the
nichrome wire. What does the gradient tell you about resistance?
The steeper the gradient of a current-voltage graph, the
lower the resistance of the wire.

Current – voltage graphs

Current-voltage graph for a bulb

Current voltage graph for a diode

Current-Voltage Graphs
I I
2. Bulb
V I V
1. Resistor 3. Diode
V
Draw and explain the shape of each graph.

Thermistor
Use a multimeter, a thermistor and your fingers to
answer the question below and then copy it into you book
A thermistor lets through
more current when it is hot
because its resistance
decreases
_______
Answer in full sentences x

x
1. What can you use a
Resistance / 
x
thermistor to sense? x
2. Name 2 places you will find x x
one in your home x x x
Temperature / C
Light Dependant Resistors (LDR)
Use a multimeter, a LDR and your fingers to answer the
question below and then copy it into you book
When light falls on an LDR
more
it lets through _______
current because its
resistance falls.
x
Answer in full sentences x
Resistance / k
x
1. What can you use a LDR x
to sense? x x
2. Where would you find one x x x
outside?
Light intensity

Voltage, Current and Resistance 2 recap
Aims:
and resistors

Revision 13/05/23
Aims:
• Revise

Safety device How it works / Notes
• Melts when too much current flows.
• Value of fuse must be higher than current drawn
Fuse
by the device
• Must be in live wire
• Breaks the circuit when too much current flows
Circuit Breaker • Must be in live wire
• Can be reset
• Protects from shock with metal cased appliances
Earth • Any charge on outside case will be dissipated to
earth (also causing the fuse to melt)
• Plastic exterior means that even if live wire

Double Insulated
touches case user will not receive a shock
• Grips outer cable and prevents strain on the inner

Plastic
coloured wires.
Insulator
• Is an insulator, stops current flowing from wire
Earth Wire
Live Wire
Neutral Wire Fuse
Outer
Insulation
Cable Grip Stopwatch Graph Home

Definitions
Unit
Definition Symbol Unit
Symbol
Voltage Push on the electrons V Volts V
Current Rate of flow of electrons I ampere A
Charge Total number of charged particles Q coulomb C
Amount of energy given to a

Energy E joule J
component
How hard it is for electrons to
Resistance R ohm Ω
flow
Power How fast energy is transferred P watt W

Equations
Mnemonic Equation Units
Exercise Is Very tiring E=IVt J=AVs
Peter Is a Veggie P = I V W = A V
QuIt Q = I t C = A s
Very Important Rabbits V = I R V = A Ω

IV Graphs
 1/gradient = Resistance
 So steeper the graph lower the resistance
I I
2. Bulb
V V
I
1. Resistor 3. Diode
V

Circuits
Series Circuits:
•Less Cabling Series Parallel
Circuit Circuit
Parallel Circuits: Current same split
•Same voltage across all components
•If one breaks rest still work Voltage split same
Copy down the sketch on the board and annotate it.
PE Teachers = Voltage
Pupils = electrons
Rate of pupils moving = Current
Other Teachers counting Pupils = Ammeter
Obstacles = Resistances (e.g. Resistors, bulbs, motors ...)
Short cuts = Short circuits

Definition Symbol Unit Unit
Symbol • Safety Features:
Double Insulation: Outer case is _____ so it will
always be safe to touch.
Current Rate of flow of electrons Insulation: _____ outside cable safe to touch
Earthing: outside casing connected to _____
Charge Total number of charged particles Circuit Breaker: Trips if too big a ____ flows
Energy Amount of energy given to a component Fuse: _____ if too big a ____ flows
Resistance How hard it is for electrons to flow

• Wiring a Plug:
Power How fast energy is transferred Fuse on the live Wire
Green/Yellow: Earth
Brown: ______
Blue: _______
Definitions
Hazards:
Mains Frayed Cables
Equations Damaged Plugs
Electricity Water
Don’t play with
Mnemonic Equation Units sockets
Peter is a Veggie Series Parallel

Series and Circuit Circuit
QuIt Parallel Circuits
Current
Very Important Rabbits
Voltage
IV Graphs Circuits
Advantage Series:
Advantage Parallel:
Resistor Bulb Diode
Component Function Symbol
I I I Diode Only lets the current through one way
Thermistor Senses _____ (low ______ high _____)

V V V
LDR Senses _____ (low ______ high _____)
Definition Symbol Unit Unit
Symbol • Safety Features:
Double Insulation: Outer case is plastic so it will
always be safe to touch.
Current Rate of flow of electrons I ampere A Insulation: plastic outside cable safe to touch
Earthing: outside casing connected to earth
Charge Total number of charged particles Q coulomb C Circuit Breaker: Trips if too big a current flows
Energy Amount of energy given to a component E joule J Fuse: melts if too big a current flows
Resistance How hard it is for electrons to flow R ohm Ω

Wiring a Plug:
Power How fast energy is transferred P watt W Fuse on the live Wire
Green/Yellow: Earth
Brown: live
Blue: neutral
Definitions
Hazards:
Mains Frayed Cables
Equations Damaged Plugs
Electricity Water
Don’t play with
Mnemonic Equation Units sockets
Peter is a Veggie P = I V W = A V Series Parallel

Series and Circuit Circuit
QuIt Q = I t C = A s Parallel Circuits
Current same split
Very Important Rabbits V = I R V = A Ω
Voltage split same
IV Graphs Circuits
Less Cabling
If one breaks rest still work and/or same voltage

Resistor Bulb Diode
Component Function Symbol
I I I Diode Only lets the current through one way
Thermistor Senses Temp (low resistance high temp)

V V V
LDR Senses Light (low resistance high light)
Circuit Symbols
Wire Motor
Connected Wire Fuse
Non connecting wire Buzzer
Cell Diode
Battery Bulb
Resistor
Power supply
Thermistor
Switch
Variable Resistor
Voltmeter
Light Dependant


Circuits

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Circuits

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Circuits

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Around the outside of an

The nucleus at the centre of

Stopwatch Graph Home

Video Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Charge = current x time

Charge (C) Current (A) Time (s)

1) A circuit is switched on for 30s with a current of 3A. How much

This can be prevented by

The wire provides a path for

Petrol Pump Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

The smoke particles pass positively-

They are then attracted

The smoke particles lose

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Brainiac Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Starter: True or False (back of books)

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Connected Wire Fuse

Non connecting wire Buzzer

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

 Draw each circuit first

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

George Simon Ohm

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

NOTE: Voltage Reading on 3 bulbs, 1 battery is wrong should be 0.67 V

• Electrons are never ever used up

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Stopwatch Graph Home

Starter: (back of books)

Q: What is the total potential difference of 2 x 1.5V

Thermistor Senses _ (low high ___)