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

A variable is something that can be changed, measured or kept the same in an investigation.

The brightness of a bulb is the amount of light it produces.

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

Variables in electric circuits: do and review

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

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

What do you call the equipment that detects the brightness of bulbs?

Which part of an investigation do scientists use to decide whether to support or reject a scientific theory?

True or false? These results support the idea that adding bulbs reduces the brightness of a bulb.

If you have 8 volts push in a circuit and 4 bulbs, how many volts will each bulb receive?

How can you make a bulb brighter in a circuit?

What happens to the brightness of a bulb in a circuit if you position it closer to the cell?

What is the name for something that can be changed in an investigation?

Which of these is not a component of an electrical circuit?

In which of these circuits would the bulb produce light?

Which of these cells would provide the smallest electrical push to a circuit?

It makes it easier to do the investigation.

It allows you to work out what has caused an effect.

It allows you to complete the investigation quickly and efficiently.

Why should you only change one variable in an investigation?

Variables in electric circuits: do and review

Lesson outcome

Content guidance