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Year 5 - Design and technology

Harry Beck and circuit diagrams

Pulleys and gears: electric vehicles

Unit Summary

This unit develops pupils' knowledge of mechanisms through gears and pulleys. By investigating electric vehicles and mechanical and electrical components, pupils will apply their knowledge and understanding by making an electric vehicle.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to relate Harry Beck's work to circuit diagrams and draw your own.

Key Notes

  • Harry Beck was inspired by circuit diagrams when he developed the London Underground map.
  • Electric vehicle prototypes need pulleys, a motor, a battery pack, axle and a switch to work.
  • Electrical designs need circuit diagrams.
  • Tinkercad can be used to draw electric circuits.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • circuit diagram: a simple drawing showing how parts of an electrical system are connected
  • electrical components: parts of an electrical circuit
  • Tinkercad: an online computer aided design application
  • workspace: area where objects are created and changed

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • All circuits have multiple pathways (like the underground map).

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Harry Beck was inspired by circuit diagrams when he developed the London Underground map. Electric vehicle prototypes need pulleys, a motor, a battery pack, axle and a switch to work.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'circuit diagram'

a simple drawing showing how parts of an electrical system are connected.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: All circuits have multiple pathways (like the underground map). Correction: A series circuit is a continuous loop where all the components are connected one after another along the same path.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 5 Design and technology guide library.