KS3 ELECTRICITY

• What is the simplest complete circuit?

  A wire from one end of a battery to the other
• What happens when an electric current flows through a wire without a component?

  The wire gets hot and the battery goes flat
• What is needed to do something useful with electric current?

  An electrical component like a bulb
• How do we describe the flow of electric charges in a wire?

  Electric current flows in the wire
• How is the flow of electric current similar to water flow?

  It is like a constant flow of electrons
• In which direction do electrons flow in a circuit?

  From negative to positive
• What is the first condition for the flow of electricity in a circuit?

  There should be something to make electrons flow
• What is an incomplete circuit missing?

  A complete part for the current to flow
• What is a simple circuit also known as?

  A series circuit
• What happens when one part of a series circuit is removed?

  The circuit becomes incomplete and stops working
• What is a disadvantage of series circuits?

  If one bulb fails, all bulbs go out
• What happens to the brightness of bulbs in a series circuit as more bulbs are added?

  The light of each bulb gets dimmer
• What is one benefit of series circuits?

  It uses less amount of wires
• What is a key feature of parallel circuits?

  They allow components to work independently
• What happens when one wire is removed from a parallel circuit?

  Only one bulb goes off, others stay on
• Why are homes wired with parallel circuits?

  To ensure other components work if one fails
• How can you compare series circuits to a single lane highway?

  One car stops and the whole traffic stops
• How can you compare parallel circuits to a multi-lane highway?

  One car breaks down, others keep moving
• What are the two types of circuits discussed?

  • Series circuit
  • Parallel circuit
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of series circuits?

  Advantages:

  • Uses less amount of wires
  • Can indicate component failure

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • If one bulb fails, all go out
  • Brightness decreases with more bulbs
• What are the advantages of parallel circuits?

  • Components work independently
  • If one fails, others continue to work
  • Maintains brightness across bulbs
• What do we learn about in this video?

  Current and potential difference
• What happens when a circuit is complete?

  Charge will flow around the circuit
• What is the current measured in?

  Amperes or amps
• How is current measured?

  Using an ammeter
• What is the symbol for an ammeter?

  It is a specific circuit symbol
• Where should an ammeter be placed in a circuit?

  In the same loop as the component
• How would you measure the current through a lamp?

  Place the ammeter in the same loop
• What does a complete circuit look like with an ammeter?

  • Contains a cell
  • Includes a lamp
  • Wires connecting to the ammeter
• What provides the push that makes charge flow in a circuit?

  A cell or battery
• What is the push that makes charge flow called?

  Potential difference
• What is potential difference also known as?

  Voltage
• What does potential difference measure?

  Energy transferred by charge to a component
• How is potential difference measured?

  Using a voltmeter
• How do you connect a voltmeter to measure potential difference?

  With two wires on either side of the component
• What are the units for potential difference?

  Volts
• How would you measure the potential difference of a lamp?

  Connect a voltmeter across the lamp
• What does a circuit diagram look like for measuring potential difference?

  • Cell connected to lamp
  • Two wires from the lamp to the voltmeter
  • Voltmeter connected parallel to the lamp
• What is the circuit symbol for a voltmeter?

  It is a specific circuit symbol
• What happens if you put a voltmeter in the same loop as a component?

  It will not work