Year 6 - Science
Components and simple circuits
Changing circuits
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores how circuit components like lamps and buzzers function, including the effect of cell number and voltage. It covers using symbols in circuit diagrams, planning scientific enquiries, taking precise measurements, recording data, and presenting findings with evidence and conclusions.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to build and test a range of simple circuits using common components.
Key Notes
- The basic elements of an electrical circuit are called components.
- A complete electrical circuit is made when all components are connected together correctly.
- A flow of electricity moves from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the cell or battery.
- The flow of electricity is pushed by the cell or battery, through the wires to the other components in the circuit.
Vocabulary To Learn
- circuit: An electrical circuit is a closed loop or path that electricity can flow through to make a component work.
- component: A component is a device in a circuit that has a specific function.
- cell: A cell is a single unit that is needed for electricity to flow around a circuit.
- battery: When two or more cells are used together, it is called a battery.
- terminal: Cells and batteries have a negative and positive terminal.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Electricity is stored within a cell or battery.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
The basic elements of an electrical circuit are called components. A complete electrical circuit is made when all components are connected together correctly.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'circuit'
An electrical circuit is a closed loop or path that electricity can flow through to make a component work. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Electricity is stored within a cell or battery. Correction: Children will model and learn that the battery provides the push to start the flow of electricity rather than being the store of it.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Changing the volume of buzzers Study Guide
- Choosing and using conductors and insulators (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Circuit symbols and diagrams Study Guide
- Debating the use of electric cars (non-stat Climate Change & Sustainability) Study Guide
- Electrical careers Study Guide
- Electrical discoveries and inventions (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Electrical sensors: design (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Electrical sensors: make and review (non-statutory) Study Guide
- How electrical insulators keep us safe (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Investigating voltage: do and review Study Guide
- Investigating voltage: plan Study Guide
- Sustainable sources of electricity (non-stat Climate Change & Sustainability) Study Guide
- The position of switches: open and closed Study Guide
- Variables in electric circuits: do and review Study Guide
- Variables in electric circuits: plan Study Guide
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