PracticeQuestionsYears 1–7
← Science

Changing circuits; circuit symbols

Year 6 · Upper Key Stage 2 · S6-ELEC — Brightness and volume vary with the number and voltage of cells; circuit symbols

Draft — awaiting teacher review

Builds on: Electricity: circuits, switches and conductors (Year 4)

I

Concept Anchor

Adding cells (more voltage) makes bulbs brighter and buzzers louder. Adding more bulbs in the same loop shares the push, so each bulb is dimmer. Circuit diagrams use symbols, such as a circle with a cross for a bulb.

Worked example

A circuit has one cell and one bulb. Add a second cell.

  1. 1.Two cells give a bigger push (voltage).
  2. 2.More electricity flows through the bulb.
  3. 3.The bulb is brighter.
II

Guided Check

A buzzer is too quiet. How could you make it louder?

    III

    Independent Diagnostic Practice

    Q1Year 6S6-ELEC — More cells·Fluency·●○○Draft — awaiting teacher review

    A circuit has one cell and one bulb. A second cell is added. What happens to the bulb?

    Q2Year 6S6-ELEC — More bulbs·Reasoning·●●○Draft — awaiting teacher review

    A circuit has one cell and one bulb. A second bulb is added in the same loop. What happens to each bulb?

    Q3Year 6S6-ELEC — Circuit symbols·Problem Solving·●●○Draft — awaiting teacher review

    In a circuit diagram, what does a circle with a cross inside it show?