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Understanding Circuit Components

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Understanding Circuit Components

A remote field station has lost its light! Use what you know about circuit components to solve the challenges. Write clear answers and remember: electricity flows only around a complete conducting path.

Identify the parts

A circuit is a pathway that allows electric current to flow when it is complete.

1.Match each circuit component with the job it usually does.

Battery
Connecting wire
Switch
Lamp

Changes electrical energy into light and heat
Opens or closes the circuit
Provides energy to drive current around the circuit
Makes a conducting path between components

2.The lamp will light when the circuit forms a complete from one battery terminal, through the components, and back to the other terminal.

3.Hamish closes a working switch in a circuit with a battery, wires and lamp. What is most likely to happen?

The circuit becomes complete, so current can flow and the lamp can light.
The battery stops providing energy.
The wires turn into insulators.
The circuit becomes open, so current cannot flow.

4.When a switch is open, there is a gap in the circuit and current cannot flow through that circuit.

TrueFalse

Troubleshoot the field-station light

The lamp does not light. Use the clues to decide what the circuit needs.

5.The battery and lamp are working, but the lamp stays off. Choose two faults that could stop current flowing.

A wire is broken.
The switch is open.
The lamp is connected in a complete circuit.
The wires are joined securely at both ends.

6.A loose wire is pushed firmly into place, and then the lamp lights. Explain why tightening the connection fixed the problem.

7.In a working circuit, Amira removes one connecting wire and leaves a gap. What happens to the lamp, and why?

8.Draw and label a circuit that could light one lamp using one battery and one switch. Show wires connecting the parts in a complete loop, and draw the switch closed.

Use this space for your labelled circuit. Include a battery, a closed switch, a lamp and connecting wires.

9.The field station needs a way to turn its lamp off without removing a wire. Which component should be included, and what does it do?

10.When the lamp is on, name one useful energy change taking place in the lamp.