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Year 8

Changing voltage

I can describe and apply the rules for voltage in a series circuit.

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New
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Year 8

Changing voltage

I can describe and apply the rules for voltage in a series circuit.

Download all resources
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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The voltage of a battery measures the strength with which it can ‘push’ current around a circuit.
  2. The voltage of a component in an electric circuit measures the size of ‘push’ that is moving current through it.
  3. The voltage across each component in an electric circuit adds up to the voltage of the battery.
  4. A battery can be made of several electrical cells added together.
  5. The voltage of a battery made of electrical cells added in series is equal to the voltages of the cells added together.

Keywords

  • Voltage - Voltage is a measure of the ‘strength’ of the ‘push’ of a battery that sends charge round a circuit.

  • Potential difference - Potential difference is another name for voltage.

  • Volt - Voltage (or potential difference) is measured in volts (V).

  • Battery - A battery is a combined component that uses a chemical reaction to push electric charge round a circuit.

  • Electrical cell - An electrical cell is an individual unit which can be connected to other cells to make a battery of cells.

Common misconception

Students confuse ideas of voltage and current, they think of voltage as part of the current. Many also have difficulty in applying their concepts of current (and voltage) to novel situations.

Give students the opportunity to reflect on voltage as an ‘electric push’ and current as a flow of electric charge by considering how current is pushed through a bulb, and the effects that the current has on the bulb.

Use demonstrations to illustrate the ideas covered in the lesson. Students can discuss their ideas and demonstrate their understanding through their responses. Misconceptions can be dealt with during the demonstration work using the equipment as necessary.
Teacher tip

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following components to their function.
Correct Answer:voltmeter,measures voltage across a component

measures voltage across a component

Correct Answer:ammeter,measures current through a component

measures current through a component

Correct Answer:resistor,opposes the flow of current around a circuit

opposes the flow of current around a circuit

Correct Answer:electrical lead,allows current to flow around a circuit

allows current to flow around a circuit

Q2.
Which of the following is the voltage of the batteries shown?
An image in a quiz
20 V
3 V
Correct answer: 1.5 V
2 V
Q3.
Which of the following is the voltage of the domestic mains electricity supply in the UK?
400 000 V
25 000 V
Correct answer: 230 V
9 V
1.5 V
Q4.
Two batteries can be used to light a bulb. The batteries have the same voltage, but one is larger than the other. Which two of the following statements are correct?
The larger battery will light the bulb brighter.
Correct answer: The larger battery will light the bulb for longer.
Correct answer: Both batteries will light the bulb at the same brightness.
Both batteries will light the bulb for the same time.
Q5.
Which of the following components does the circuit symbol shown represent?
An image in a quiz
resistor
motor
voltmeter
ammeter
Correct answer: buzzer
Q6.
A voltmeter must be placed into a circuit in order to measure the voltage of a component. Which of the following statements is correct?
Correct answer: The voltmeter must be placed across the component.
The voltmeter must be placed in series with the component.
The voltmeter must be placed before the component.
The voltmeter must be placed after the component.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A 1.5 V battery is connected to a 6 V bulb in a series circuit. Which of the following statements about the circuit is correct?
Correct answer: the bulb would be dim
the bulb would be bright
the bulb would blow
the bulb wouldn't light
Q2.
A battery is connected to four identical bulbs in a series circuit. Which of the following statements about the circuit is correct?
The voltage across each of the bulbs will be different.
The bulb nearest the positive terminal will be brightest.
The bulb nearest the negative terminal will be brightest.
Correct answer: he voltage across each of the bulbs will be the same.
Q3.
The battery shown is made from three, identical 1.5 V cells that are aligned correctly. Which of the following is the total voltage supplied by the battery?
An image in a quiz
1.5 V
3.0 V
Correct answer: 4.5 V
6.0 V
Q4.
The battery in the circuit shown is made from two, identical 3 V cells. Which of the following is the reading that would be displayed on the voltmeter?
An image in a quiz
1 V
3 V
Correct answer: 6 V
9 V
Q5.
The battery in the circuit shown is made from two, identical 1.5 V cells. Which of the following is the reading that would be displayed on the voltmeter?
An image in a quiz
1.5 V
Correct answer: 3.0 V
4.5 V
6.0 V
Q6.
All of the bulbs in the circuit diagram shown are identical. Which of the following is the correct voltage across bulb 1?
An image in a quiz
1 V
Correct answer: 2 V
4 V
8 V

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