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Primary Science · Year 4Chapter 9 · Electricity and circuits
Year 4 Science · Electricity and circuits · Lesson 9.1

Year 4 Science: Appliances that use electricity

Part of the Year 4 Science electricity and circuits chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

9.1

Appliances that use electricity

Year 4
E1: identify common appliances that run on electricity
Story. Ruby’s family has a kettle, a toaster and a television in the kitchen and living room. Her torch and the remote control work differently. “Why do some things plug in, and some do not?” she asks. Mr Patel says, “Some use the mains, and some use cells, which are batteries.”

An appliance is a machine that uses electricity to do a job. Many appliances run from the mains, which is the electricity supply in a wall socket. Others, such as a torch or a remote control, run from cells (batteries).

Important: mains electricity is dangerous. Never touch a plug, a socket or a wire with wet hands, and never push anything into a socket.

The table sorts six appliances by where they get their electricity.

ApplianceHow it gets its electricity
kettlefrom the mains (a wall socket)
toasterfrom the mains (a wall socket)
televisionfrom the mains (a wall socket)
fanfrom the mains (a wall socket)
torchfrom cells (batteries)
remote controlfrom cells (batteries)

Key ideas

  • Appliances such as kettles, toasters, televisions and fans run from the mains.
  • Torches and remote controls run from cells.
  • Mains electricity is dangerous: never touch a socket or a plug with wet hands.
  • In school practicals, use cells and a bulb holder only.
Worked example 9.1.1
Which appliance in the table runs from cells: kettle or torch? Write the name.

Method. Read the table in section 9.1.

  1. Find the two names. The kettle runs from the mains, and the torch runs from cells.
    torch
  2. Name the one from cells. So the torch runs from cells.
    torch
  3. Write the answer.
    torch

Check. A torch uses batteries. ✓

Worked example 9.1.2
How many appliances in the table run from the mains? Write the number.

Method. Count the mains rows.

  1. Read the table. The mains rows are kettle, toaster, television and fan.
    four
  2. Count them. There are four appliances that run from the mains.
    4
  3. Write the answer.
    4

Check. Four plus two is six appliances in the table. ✓

Worked example 9.1.3
Is it safe to put a finger into a wall socket? Write yes or no.

Method. Think about mains electricity.

  1. Think about the socket. A wall socket carries mains electricity, which can cause serious harm.
    serious harm
  2. Decide. So it is never safe to put a finger in a socket.
    no
  3. Write the answer.
    no

Check. Mains electricity must be left to a grown-up. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: an appliance that plugs in is not the same as an appliance that uses cells. Do not assume that every electrical thing can run from a battery.

Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). Walk round your home with a grown-up. Find three appliances that plug into the wall, and two that use batteries. Do not touch any plugs or sockets. Say which ones run from the mains.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “Does this plug in, or does it use batteries? Why should we never touch the plug with wet hands?” Let your child name the appliances and say how each one is powered.

Exercise 9A  Appliances that use electricity

1
FName one appliance from the table in section 9.1 that runs from the mains. Write one name.
2
FWhich appliance in the table runs from cells: torch or kettle? Write the name.
3
FHow many appliances in the table run from the mains? Write the number.
4
FHow many appliances in the table run from cells? Write the number.
5
FHow many appliances are in the table altogether? Write the number.
6
FWhich supply is in a wall socket: mains or cells? Write the word.
7
FIs a torch powered by cells? Write yes or no.
8
FShould you touch a plug or a socket with wet hands? Write yes or no.
9
PSWhich is the safer source of electricity for a school practical: cells or the mains? Write the word.
10
PSA remote control runs from cells. Is this a mains appliance? Write yes or no.
11
PSWorking scientifically. Predict whether a remote control runs from the mains or from cells. Write one prediction with a reason.
12
RExplain why a grown-up must help with any electrical practical at home. Write one sentence.

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