Investigating voltage: do and review
I can investigate and explain how voltage affects the brightness of a bulb in a circuit.
- Year 6
Investigating voltage: do and review
I can investigate and explain how voltage affects the brightness of a bulb in a circuit.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Equipment such as a light sensor and data logger can be used to measure and record bulb brightness in lux.
- Changing the voltage of batteries can affect the brightness of a bulb in a simple circuit.
- A lower voltage leads to a dimmer bulb and a higher voltage leads to a brighter bulb.
- A higher voltage can cause the bulb to burn out or blow due to excess heat generated.
- The results of an investigation can be recorded in a table and presented using verbal and written forms.
Keywords
Voltage - Voltage is a measure of the size of the push provided by a cell or other source of electricity.
Brightness - The brightness of a bulb is the amount of light it gives out.
Affect - To affect something or someone is to change it or how it behaves.
Cell - A cell is a single unit that is needed for electricity to flow around a circuit.
Lux - Lux is the unit used to measure the brightness of light.
Common misconception
The voltage of a cell is proportional to the size of the cell. Voltage is a tangible substance rather than a measure of electrical “push”.
Teaching slides and CfUs will clarify that voltage is a measure of the size of the push provided by a cell or other source of electricity and that cell size is not proportional to voltage.
Equipment
Equipment to investigate the effect of voltage on the brightness of bulbs: bulbs, wires, cells, light sensor and data logger or app on mobile phone or tablet to measure light.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the V on a cell or battery stand for?
Q2.Which of the following statements is correct?
Q3.What effect would removing cells from a circuit have on the voltage of the circuit?
Q4.Which of the following statements is correct?
Q5.A circuit is made with a single 1.5V cell and a lightbulb. If another 1.5V cell is added into the circuit what would you expect to observe?
Q6.Cells with a higher voltage provide a __________ electrical push to a circuit.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Changing the voltage of cells and batteries can affect the of a bulb in a circuit.
Q2.Which of the following methods can be used to measure the brightness of a bulb?
Q3.Which of the following is the unit used for measuring the brightness of a light?
Q4.If a lower voltage is used in a circuit containing a bulb, the bulb would be ...
Q5.Which of the following causes a bulb to 'blow' or burn out?
