Electricity is needed for lighting, heating and making machines and appliances work.

An object that is electrical needs electricity to function.

An appliance is a device or piece of equipment designed to perform a specific task.

To group things is to put similar things together.

Electrical appliances

Science

Electrical appliances of the future (non-stat Climate Change & Sustainability)

Components in a simple circuit

Building simple circuits

Troubleshooting problems with circuits

Switches

Electrical conductors and insulators

Electrical conductors: testing

Generating and transporting electricity (non-statutory)

Working with electricity

In this Simple electrical circuits unit, pupils learn to construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts. In the Changing circuits unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn to compare and give reasons for variations in how components function in a simple circuit

In the Everyday materials unit, pupils learnt to identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass and metal. In this Simple electrical circuits unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognise some common conductors and insulators, and associate metals with being good conductors

This unit covers constructing simple series electrical circuits, identifying parts like cells, wires, and switches, and recognising conductors and insulators. It also explores how circuits work with lamps and switches. The emphasis is on practical enquiries, making observations, and presenting data.

Simple electrical circuits

An electrical appliance is a device or piece of equipment designed to perform a specific task, which needs electricity to work.

An engineer is a person who designs and builds things.

A diagram is a simplified drawing of information.

An object that is electrical needs electricity to make it work.

An electrical circuit is a closed loop or path that electricity can flow through to make a component work.

To identify something is to be able to name it correctly.

In a circuit, a device is a component that needs electricity for a particular purpose.

A complete electrical circuit is made when all components are connected together correctly and there are no breaks in the circuit.

An incomplete electrical circuit is made when the components are not connected together correctly or there are breaks in the circuit.

A series circuit is when all the components are in the same loop.

Connectors are the places on components where the wires make contact to join it to the rest of the circuit.

An electrician is an expert in electrical circuits and electricity.

A switch is part of an electrical circuit than can stop or allow electricity to flow.

Control variables are variables that are kept the same throughout an investigation.

A material is what objects are made from such as wood, metal or plastic.

An electrical conductor is a material that allows electricity to pass through it easily.

A mineral is a naturally occurring solid, e.g. a salt.

An electrical insulator is a material that does not allow electricity to pass through it easily.

Most metals are strong, hard and shiny materials. They are good conductors of heat and electricity.

If a material conducts electricity or heat, it means the electricity or heat can pass through it easily.

To generate electricity is to produce it.

Electricity is generated at a power station.

A turbine is a machine through which liquid or gas flows to turn a wheel.

A pylon is a tall tower for carrying electricity cables high above the ground.

Science is the study of the natural and human-made world, including how and why things happen.

A scientist is a person who learns about science and carries out enquiries.

An engineer is a person who designs, tests and builds things.

The findings of a test or enquiry is another way to describe the results of a test or enquiry or what was found out.

An electrician solves wiring problems, checks if circuits have been built incorrectly and repairs broken appliances.

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Simple electrical circuits

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