Year 6 Science Components, switches and circuit symbols: check-up and practice test questions

Method. Read the symbol table.

1. Read the table. A bulb is a circle with a cross inside it.
   circle with a cross
2. Write the answer.
   a circle with a cross inside it

Check. The bulb lights when current flows. ✓

Method. Read the symbol table.

1. Read the table. An open switch is a line with a gap in it.
   gap
2. Write the answer.
   a line with a gap in it

Check. A closed switch has no gap. ✓

Method. Count the yes rows.

1. Read the table. The bulb was lit in three tests.
   three
2. Write the answer.
   3

Check. Those were the closed switch tests. ✓

Method. Recall the idea.

1. Recall. An open switch is a gap in the loop.
   gap
2. Write the answer.
   yes

Check. No current flows through a gap. ✓

Method. Read the table.

1. Read the table. One bulb with two cells is rated 4.
   4
2. Write the answer.
   4

Check. One bulb is the brightest in this table. ✓

Method. Read the table.

1. Read the table. Each bulb in the row of two is rated 2.
   2
2. Write the answer.
   2

Check. Each bulb is dimmer in a row. ✓

Method. Recall the idea.

1. Recall. The voltage is shared between the bulbs, so each gets less current.
   shared
2. Write the answer.
   the voltage is shared

Check. Less current makes each bulb dimmer. ✓

Method. Multiply by 1.5 volts.

1. Multiply. Two cells give 2 x 1.5 volts.
   3.0
2. Write the answer.
   3.0 volts

Check. Two cells add their voltages. ✓

Method. Check the loop.

1. Check the loop. A gap means the loop is not complete, so no current flows.
   gap
2. Decide. So Ali is not right.
   no
3. Write the answer.
   no

Check. A complete loop is needed. ✓

Method. Think about the gap.

1. Think about the gap. The open switch makes a gap in the loop.
   gap
2. Think about the current. So no current flows to the bulb.
   no current
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any sentence that says the open switch makes a gap in the loop, so no current flows to the bulb.

Check. The gap is what stops the current. ✓

Method. Check the gap.

1. Check the gap. An open switch is a gap, so no current flows.
   gap
2. Decide. So the bulb does not light.
   no
3. Write the answer.
   no

Check. Open means off. ✓

Method. Recall the symbol.

1. Recall. The bulb symbol is a circle with a cross inside it.
   circle with a cross
2. Write the answer.
   a circle with a cross inside it

Check. The cross is inside the circle. ✓

Method. Subtract the two ratings.

1. Read the ratings. The single bulb is 4, and each bulb in the row is 2.
   4 and 2
2. Subtract. The difference is 4 minus 2.
   4 - 2 = 2
3. Write the answer.
   2

Check. 2 + 2 = 4. ✓

Method. Think about the voltage.

1. Think about the voltage. The voltage is shared between the two bulbs.
   shared
2. Think about the current. So each bulb gets less current and is dimmer.
   less current
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any sentence that says the voltage is shared between the two bulbs, so each bulb gets less current.

Check. Less current means dimmer. ✓

Method. Recall the symbol.

1. Recall. The cell symbol is a long thin line and a short thick line.
   long thin line
2. Write the answer.
   a long thin line and a short thick line

Check. The long line is the positive end. ✓

Method. Check the three things.

1. Check the loop. The loop is complete, there is a cell, and the switch is closed.
   all three
2. Decide. So the bulb lights.
   yes
3. Write the answer.
   yes

Check. All three conditions are met. ✓

Method. Use the numbers given.

1. Read the numbers. The bulb was off in three tests, which were the open switch tests.
   off
2. Write the number. So the switch was open in three tests.
   3
3. Write the answer.
   3

Check. Three on and three off makes six. ✓

Method. Think about the gap.

1. Think about the gap. An open switch makes a gap in the loop.
   gap
2. Think about the current. So no current flows, and the bulb is off.
   no current
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any sentence that says an open switch makes a gap in the loop, so no current flows even though the cell is connected.

Check. The gap is the reason. ✓

Method. Check the symbol for a bulb.

1. Check the symbol. The recognised bulb symbol is a circle with a cross inside it.
   circle
2. Give the reason. A square does not match the recognised symbol, so it could be confused.
   square
3. Write the answer.
   Accept any answer that says a bulb should be drawn as a circle with a cross inside it, as in the recognised symbols.

Check. Recognised symbols are the same for everyone. ✓

Method. Multiply by 1.5 volts.

1. Multiply. Two cells give 2 x 1.5 volts.
   2 x 1.5 = 3.0
2. Write the total. So the total voltage is 3.0 volts.
   3.0 volts
3. Write the answer.
   3.0 volts

Check. The voltages add when the cells are joined end to end. ✓