Electric Circuits
Year 7 Science Understanding how electricity flows Building your first circuits
What Makes This Work?
Think about a torch What do you think makes the bulb light up? Share your ideas with the person next to you
What is an Electric Circuit?
A pathway for electricity to flow Must have a power source (like a battery) Needs wires to carry the electricity Requires something to use the electricity (like a bulb) All parts must be connected properly
Build Your First Circuit
Work in groups of 3 Use: 1 battery, 2 wires, 1 small bulb Try to make the bulb light up Draw what you create What happens if you disconnect a wire?
The Golden Rule of Circuits
'Electricity needs a complete, unbroken path to flow - just like water needs unbroken pipes!'
Open vs Closed Circuits
{"left":"CLOSED CIRCUIT: Complete path for electricity\nElectricity flows freely\nBulb lights up\nAll components connected","right":"OPEN CIRCUIT: Broken or incomplete path\nElectricity cannot flow\nBulb stays off\nGap somewhere in the circuit"}
Human Circuit Challenge
Form a circle holding hands Imagine you are electricity flowing around What happens when two people let go? How is this like an electric circuit? Discuss with your group
Circuit Symbols - The Language of Electricity
Scientists use special symbols for circuits Battery: Two lines (long and short) Wire: Straight line Bulb: Circle with X inside Switch: Gap that can open/close