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Electrical Circuits Exploration

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Electrical Circuits Exploration

A small emergency beacon on a coastal track has stopped working. Use circuit science to diagnose the problem, then design a safe working circuit. Use only low-voltage cells; never experiment with mains electricity.

Diagnose the beacon

Read each clue carefully. A complete circuit gives charge a continuous path from one cell terminal, through the components, and back to the other terminal.

1.The beacon has a cell, a bulb, connecting wires and a switch. Which description best explains the cell’s role?
  • It provides a potential difference that transfers energy to charges in the circuit.
  • It creates the wire and bulb from electrical energy.
  • It stops charge from moving around the circuit.
  • It makes the circuit safe by insulating every component.
2.The switch is open and the bulb is dark. Explain why opening the switch stops the bulb lighting, using the words complete path.
3.The team tests four objects in the gap of a working circuit. Select every material likely to let enough current pass for the bulb to light.
  • Copper strip
  • Aluminium foil
  • Dry wooden stick
  • Plastic ruler
  • Steel paper clip
4.A wire has a metal core covered by coloured plastic. Explain why this combination is useful in a circuit.

Read the circuit plans

Compare the two circuit plans. In each plan, the cell, bulb and switch are connected in one loop. A closed switch completes its part of the loop; an open switch leaves a gap.

Plan A: cell → closed switch → bulb → back to cell

Plan B: cell → open switch → bulb → back to cell

5.Which plan should light the bulb? State what would happen in the other plan and give a reason.
6.A technician replaces one cell with two identical cells connected in series, facing the same way. Predict how the bulb may change, and explain your reasoning. Assume the bulb is designed to tolerate the higher voltage.
7.True or false: In a simple series circuit, removing a working bulb usually breaks the only path for current, so the other components stop working.
TrueFalse

Build, test and explain

Apply your understanding to a real low-voltage circuit. Show how your design works and how you would test it safely.

8.Draw a circuit diagram for the beacon using one cell, one bulb, a switch and connecting wires. Arrange the components in a complete loop, and show the switch closed. Label each component.
9.Your first test does not light the bulb. Give two different checks that could help find the fault, and explain what each check might reveal.
10.Write two safety rules for investigating this beacon circuit. Your rules must address what power source is safe and what to do before changing a connection.

3 printable pages

  • Electrical Circuits Exploration, page 1 of 3: Diagnose the beacon

    Page 1

  • Electrical Circuits Exploration, page 2 of 3: Read the circuit plans

    Page 2

  • Electrical Circuits Exploration, page 3 of 3: Build, test and explain

    Page 3

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