A cell is a single unit that is needed for electricity to flow around a circuit.

A battery is two or more cells working together.

Voltage is a measure of the size of the push provided by a cell or other source of electricity.

To affect something or someone is to change it or how it behaves.

The brightness of a lamp is the amount of light it gives out.

Investigating voltage: plan

Science

Components and simple circuits

Circuit symbols and diagrams

Electrical discoveries and inventions (non-statutory)

Investigating voltage: do and review

Variables in electric circuits: plan

Variables in electric circuits: do and review

Changing the volume of buzzers

The position of switches: open and closed

Choosing and using conductors and insulators (non-statutory)

How electrical insulators keep us safe (non-statutory)

Electrical careers

Electrical sensors: design (non-statutory)

Electrical sensors: make and review (non-statutory)

Debating the use of electric cars (non-stat Climate Change & Sustainability)

Sustainable sources of electricity (non-stat Climate Change & Sustainability)

In the Changing circuits unit, pupils learnt to give reasons for variations in how components function, such as the brightness of bulbs. In the Series circuits unit, they will build on this knowledge to find rules for electric current and voltage in series circuits 

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

This unit explores how circuit components like lamps and buzzers function, including the effect of cell number and voltage. It covers using symbols in circuit diagrams, planning scientific enquiries, taking precise measurements, recording data, and presenting findings with evidence and conclusions.

Changing circuits

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Activity that requires collection of items from an area (room, building).

The {{}} on a cell or battery stands for volts.

Which of these questions could be answered with a scientific enquiry?

Cells with a {{}} voltage provide a stronger electrical push to a circuit.

a measure of the electrical push a cell provides to a circuit

How could you create a higher voltage in a circuit?

What is the name of the images used to represent components in a circuit?

In a circuit, the cell or battery provides the {{}} to make electricity flow.

Which circuit symbol is shown in the image?

Which diagram matches the circuit drawing?

Investigating voltage: plan

Lesson outcome

Content guidance