Variables in electric circuits: plan
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan to investigate variables that may affect the brightness of a bulb in an electric circuit.
Key learning points
- A variable is any one thing in an investigation which could be changed.
- Adding other components to the circuit may affect the brightness of a bulb.
- Changing the position of the bulb in the circuit may affect how brightly it shines.
Keywords
Circuit - An electrical circuit is a closed loop or path that electricity can flow through to make a component work.
Brightness - The brightness of a bulb is the amount of light it produces.
Variable - A variable is something that can be changed, measured or kept the same in an investigation.
Affect - To affect something or someone is to change it or how it behaves.
Common misconception
Children may not understand how variables interact within a circuit and how changes in one variable can affect others.
Teaching slides will relate the need to control variables in a comparative and fair test, to the need to do so with circuits in order to be able to relate a given variable to a measured outcome.
Teacher tip
Relate variables in comparative and fair tests to variables in a circuit and encourage children to consider one variable at a time when deciding which affect the brightness of a bulb.
Equipment
None essential for planning. Children may find it useful to have access to a range of components and a way to measure light. Children will carry out their investigations in Lesson 6.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the unit used to measure the electrical push provided by a cell or battery?
Q2.Cells with a lower provide a weaker electrical push to a circuit.
Q3.How can you decrease the voltage of a circuit?
Q4.How does decreasing the voltage of the cell affect the brightness of a bulb in a circuit?
Q5.What might happen if the voltage is too high in a circuit?
Q6.What is the unit used to measure light with a light sensor?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A is any one thing in an investigation which could be changed.
Q2.How many variables should you change each time you carry out an investigation?
Q3.This circuit been changed to see what affects bulb brightness? How has it been changed?
Q4.This circuit been changed? How has it been changed?
Q5.Which of these may affect the brightness of a bulb in a circuit?
Q6.To a variable is to keep it the same during an investigation.
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: Variables in electric circuits: plan, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: Variables in electric circuits: plan, 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.