Year 6 - Science
The position of switches: open and closed
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 explain how a switch is used in a simple circuit.
Key Notes
- Switches play an important role in our lives because they allow us to control the flow of electricity to appliances.
- Switches can turn a circuit off by making a gap so electricity cannot flow.
- Traditional switches work by making a pair of conductors touch each other or separate from each other.
- Engineers have created innovative switches which are sensitive to human touch.
- Switches for simple circuits can be created from a range of everyday conductors and insulators.
Vocabulary To Learn
- switch: A switch is part of an electrical circuit than can stop or allow electricity to flow.
- control variable: Control variables are variables that are kept the same throughout an investigation.
- appliance: An appliance is a device or piece of equipment designed to perform a specific task.
- circuit: An electrical circuit is a closed loop or path that electricity can flow through to make a component work.
- complete: A complete electrical circuit is made when all components are connected together correctly and there are no gaps in the circuit.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All electrical appliances and circuits use the same type of switch.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Switches play an important role in our lives because they allow us to control the flow of electricity to appliances. Switches can turn a circuit off by making a gap so electricity cannot flow.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'switch'
A switch is part of an electrical circuit than can stop or allow electricity to flow. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: All electrical appliances and circuits use the same type of switch. Correction: Pupils will be introduced to a wide range of switches.
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
- Components and simple circuits 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
- Variables in electric circuits: do and review Study Guide
- Variables in electric circuits: plan Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 6 Science guide library.