New
New
Year 4

Components in a simple circuit

I can identify and name basic components in a simple electrical circuit.

New
New
Year 4

Components in a simple circuit

I can identify and name basic components in a simple electrical circuit.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Electricity and circuits are just about everywhere and a part of most of our daily lives.
  2. The basic elements of an electrical circuit are called components.
  3. A simple electrical circuit has to have an electrical source, such as a battery.
  4. A simple electrical circuit has to have wires for the electricity to flow through.
  5. A simple electrical circuit has to have a device, such as a bulb, buzzer or motor, that requires electricity to work.

Keywords

  • Electrical - An object that is electrical needs electricity to make it work.

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

  • Component - A component is a part in a circuit.

  • Identify - To identify an object is to be able to name it correctly.

  • Device - In a circuit, a device is a component that needs electricity for a particular purpose.

Common misconception

Some words have different meanings in day-to-day life compared to their meaning in science (cell, battery and circuit).

Teachings slides will discuss confusion with words circuit, cell and battery.

Give children time to explore components to help them become familiar with them.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Although not essential, electrical components may be explored in this lesson to help familiarisation.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Televisions, mobile phones and washing machines are examples of electrical .
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: appliances, objects
Q2.
What type of electricity does an appliance use if it is plugged into a socket on the wall?
An image in a quiz
batteries
Correct answer: mains electricity
Q3.
Match the appliance to its source of electricity.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:digital watch,battery

battery

Correct Answer:computer monitor,mains electricity

mains electricity

Q4.
Which of the following activities can be completed using electricity?
Correct answer: lighting a room
rolling out pastry
Correct answer: playing a computer game
playing football
Q5.
Select the most accurate ending for the following sentence. Appliances are devices or pieces of equipment designed …
to wash clothes.
Correct answer: to perform a specific task.
to be used in a building.
to be used in the kitchen.
Q6.
Which of the following do scientists and engineers consider when choosing materials for electrical appliances?
An image in a quiz
the colour of the material
the smell of the material
Correct answer: the properties of the material

6 Questions

Q1.
A simple electrical circuit has to have a source of , such as a battery.
Correct Answer: electricity
Q2.
Electricity and circuits are just about everywhere. What are the basic elements of an electrical circuit called?
mini–appliances
controllers
Correct answer: components
Q3.
In a circuit, what does the electricity flow through between the components?
buzzers
cells
Correct answer: wires
motors
Q4.
Which of the following electrical components is shown?
An image in a quiz
bulb
Correct answer: buzzer
motor
battery
Q5.
Which of the following electrical components is shown?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: bulb
wire
motor
battery
Q6.
Which of the following electrical components is shown?
An image in a quiz
buzzer
battery
bulb
Correct answer: motor