Investigating voltage: do and review
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can investigate and explain how voltage affects the brightness of a bulb in a circuit.
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.
Teacher tip
Remind pupils to make sure they do not introduce extra variables in their measurements of light. They need to keep the sensor the same distance from the light each time.
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
Loading...
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?
Q6.Which of the following describes sharing results by saying them out loud?
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: Investigating voltage: do and review, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: Investigating voltage: do and review, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Changing circuits unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.