Year 6 Science · Cells, brightness and volume · Summary
Year 6 Science Cells, brightness and volume: summary and key words
Part of the Year 6 Science cells, brightness and volume chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Voltage of cells | A standard cell gives 1.5 volts. Cells joined end to end add their voltages. |
| Brightness | More cells give a higher voltage, which makes a bulb brighter. |
| Volume | More cells give a higher voltage, which makes a buzzer louder. |
| Complete circuit | A bulb or buzzer works only in a complete loop with no gaps. |
| Fair test and safety | Change only the number of cells. Keep the bulb, wires and holder the same. Never join a wire across a cell. |
Can you…?
- I can say that a cell gives 1.5 volts, and cells joined end to end add their voltages
- I can work out the total voltage of a number of cells
- I can say how more cells make a bulb brighter, using a table of ratings
- I can say how more cells make a buzzer louder, using a table of ratings
- I can explain why a circuit must be a complete loop
- I can plan a fair test on the number of cells, and say how to keep it safe
Key terms
- cell
- a part of a circuit that gives a voltage, with a positive and a negative end
- voltage
- the push that makes electricity flow in a circuit, measured in volts
- volt (V)
- the unit of voltage
- complete circuit
- a circuit joined all the way round with no gaps, so current can flow
- bulb
- a component that lights up when current flows through it
- buzzer
- a component that makes a sound when current flows through it
- short circuit
- a wire joined straight across the two ends of a cell, which makes it hot and is dangerous
- brightness rating
- a rating out of 5 given to the brightness of a bulb, in this chapter
- loudness rating
- a rating out of 5 given to how loud a buzzer is, in this chapter