Chapter 9: Electricity and circuits

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

• Name common appliances that run from the mains, and those that run from cells
• Name the basic parts of a simple series circuit: cell, wire, bulb, switch and buzzer
• Read the symbols for a cell, a bulb, a switch and a buzzer
• Say whether a lamp will light, using the idea of a complete loop
• Explain how a gap or an open switch breaks the loop
• Use safe practice, with cells and a bulb holder, and a grown-up

You should already know

• Electricity is not taught in Year 3; these are the first ideas of circuits (Year 4 Science)
• Forces, magnets and the idea of a force acting at a distance (Year 3 Science, Chapter 9)

Where this leads

• Switches, conductors and insulators, and which materials let electricity flow (Year 4 Science, Chapter 10)
• Circuits, voltage and symbols in more detail (Year 6 Science)