Electric current
I can describe the flow of electric current from one end of a battery, through a circuit and back to the other end of the battery.
Electric current
I can describe the flow of electric current from one end of a battery, through a circuit and back to the other end of the battery.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- One end of a battery has a positive charge and one end has a negative charge, because of chemical reactions inside it.
- A battery pushes electric charge (electrons) one way round a complete circuit.
- There are electric charges in all atoms of the wires and components in a circuit, even when it is not turned on.
- When a circuit is turned on, electrons everywhere in the circuit start moving at the same time.
- Individual electrons move round a circuit slowly, at a speed of just a few millimetres each second.
Keywords
Battery - A battery is a component that uses a chemical reaction to make electric charge flow round a circuit.
Charge - Things can have an electrical charge that is positive or negative. If there is no charge, they are neutral.
Electron - Electrons are the charges in conductors that flow to give an electric current.
Electric current - Electric current is the flow of electric charge in a circuit.
Common misconception
Many pupils imagine electric current to emerge from a battery or a power supply and to move round a circuit in a sequential way. This leads to a consumption model of electricity.
Give pupils opportunities to test different incorrect models (e.g. the unipolar and clashing current models as well as the consumption model).
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
6 Questions
