A filament is a thin metal wire inside some light bulbs that glows and emits light when heated.

A faulty component is one that is damaged or isn't conducting electricity properly.

A series circuit is an electric circuit with one complete loop from one end of a battery to the other end.

A complete circuit is one where there are no gaps, so electricity is able to flow round the circuit.

A test circuit is used to check if a component (or other circuit) is allowing electricity to flow through.

Fixing faulty circuits

Science

Making a series circuit

Electric current

Measuring electric current

Measuring voltage

Changing voltage

Static electricity

Static electricity: charge

In the Magnets and electromagnets unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about how electric current flows through electromagnets, factors that affect the strength of electromagnets and uses of electromagnets that include a simple electric motor.

In Changing circuits unit (Y6), pupils learnt to construct simple circuits, and about complete circuits, circuit diagrams and how the number and voltage of cells in a battery affect components in a circuit. 

This unit covers electric current, potential difference, and resistance in series and parallel circuits. It also explores charge separation, electron transfer, and electric fields. The unit focuses on interpreting data, identifying patterns, and drawing conclusions using scientific knowledge.

Series circuits

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Which of the following devices can be used to check if a component is working correctly?

Which of the following is needed to allow electricity to flow around a circuit?

What is the name of the thin wire, found in some types of bulb, that glows when electricity passes through it?

The motor will spin faster but the other lamp will get dimmer.

The motor will spin faster but the other lamp will get brighter.

The other lamp and motor will stop working.

The other lamp and motor will continue working as before.

In this circuit, every component works as it should, until the bulb in one of the lamps blows. Which statement correctly predicts what will happen to the other components?

The metal wire inside the lead is broken or disconnected.

The lead is not correctly connected to a component.

Which of the following could cause an electrical lead to not work?

The bulb is not fully screwed into the holder.

Which of the following will cause a series circuit to stop working, if the filament inside a bulb breaks?

Which of these series circuits are correctly connected?

Which of these electrical components is designed to spin when electricity flows through it?

Which of the following used to represent electrical leads in a circuit diagram?

Which of the following electrical components has two metal contacts that open to stop electricity from flowing and close to allow it to pass through?

the right side of the battery is not connected

Sofia has drawn a circuit incorrectly. What mistake has she made?

provides the 'push' to send electricity around a circuit.

allows electricity to flow from one component to another.

emits light when electricity flows through it.

makes a sound when electricity flows through it.

Fixing faulty circuits

Lesson outcome

Content guidance