Circuits

Circuit or Circus? Which of these circuits would work?

A B C
Circuit or Circus? Which of these circuits would work?

ANSWER
KEY

A metal screw is a
A plastic toothbrush
A plastic comb is not a conductor conductor of electricity,
is not a conductor of electricity,
of electricity. but the power source
and a power source is missing.
is missing.
 What is an electric circuit?

DIRECTION OF

It is a complete path ELECTRIC CURRENT

through which electric

current flows.

It should be constructed in
an unbroken loop.
Energy transformations

Energy cannot be created or destroyed

In all devices and machines, energy is

transformed from one type to another
Batteries supply energy to a circuit. When a circuit is
connected, the chemical energy in the battery is
transformed through electrical energy to heat and light
energy in bulbs.

The total amount of heat and light energy is the same as the
amound of chemical energy lost from the battery.
What happens in a A dry cell provides the ‘push’ needed for

circuit? electrons to flow in the loop.

These electrons are already present in the

wires.

When these electrons pass through a load

or a receiver, electrical energy can change
into other forms, such as light, heat and
sound.
Summary
What makes an electric A simple circuit consists of a battery (or
other source), a light bulb (or other load) and
circuit complete? conducting wires.

COMPONENT

SYMBOL
Other Circuit There are more, but these are some of the most
Components common ones!

battery closed switch open switch

resistor motor fuse

 Task
WITH THE HELP OF YOUR TEACHER OR CARER,
test whether your suggestions and drawings will make the
Using
bulb light the worksheet,
using actual batteries, a small lightbulb, and
wires.
complete the table by
copying down the next slides
in order.
Cell

Components
Battery
DC power source
AC power source
Conducting wire
Voltmeter
Ammeter
Switch Open
Switch closed
Resistor

Components
Variable resistor
Light
Speaker
Motor
Generator
Fuse
Light emitting diode
Junction of conductors
• Converts chemical energy to electrical energy
• Converts more chemical energy to electrical energy

Functions
• Provides an electrical current in one direction
• Provides an electrical current in two directions
• Transfers electrical energy from one place to another
• Measures volts (How attracted electrons are)
• Measures current (How many electrons are flowing)
• Breaks the circuit and stops the electricity flowing
• Connects the circuit and allows electricity to flow
• Slows down how many electrons flow

Functions
• Can change how much it slows electrons
• Transforms electrical energy into light energy
• Transforms electrical energy into sound energy
• Transforms kinetic energy into electrical energy
• Melts if too many electrons are flowing, breaking the
circuit.
• Transforms small amounts of electrical energy into light
energy
• A place where conducting wires join together.
Cell
Battery

Symbols
DC power source
AC power source
Conducting wire
Voltmeter
Ammeter
Switch Open
Switch closed
Resistor
Variable resistor

Symbols
Light
Speaker
Motor
Generator
Fuse
Light emitting diode
Junction of conductors
Completing the Circuit

Given a bulb, a wire and a cell, can you

suggest:

1 way to connect them to get the

bulb to light up?

1 way to connect them such that the

bulb does not light up?

Use the electrical symbols when drawing

the circuits.