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.

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

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

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

The position of switches: open and closed

Science

Components and simple circuits

Circuit symbols and diagrams

Electrical discoveries and inventions (non-statutory)

Investigating voltage: plan

Investigating voltage: do and review

Variables in electric circuits: plan

Variables in electric circuits: do and review

Changing the volume of buzzers

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

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

Would electricity flow around the circuit shown?

True or false? Switches for simple circuits can only be bought from shops as they are too complicated to make.

Switches break a circuit by making a gap in the circuit where {{}} cannot flow.

a conductor and an insulator touch each other

a pair of conductors separate from each other

a conductor and an insulator conductors separate from each other

Which of the following happens when a traditional switch is closed?

How are switches on smart phones and tablets triggered?

a device that turns electrical appliances on and off

a device in a circuit that produces sound

When a circuit is {{}}, all of the components are correctly connected and there are no gaps.

increasing the voltage does not affect the brightness of a bulb

increasing the voltage increases the brightness of a bulb

increasing the voltage decreases the brightness of a bulb

How does voltage affect the brightness of a bulb?

changing the position of a buzzer in a circuit makes it quieter

changing the position of a buzzer in a circuit makes it louder

changing the position of a buzzer in a circuit does not affect its volume

How does changing the position of a buzzer in a circuit affect its volume?

The position of switches: open and closed

Lesson outcome

Content guidance