Electricity Basics
What type of electricity builds up on an object and does not flow in a circuit?
Static electricity
What do we call a material that allows electricity to flow through it?
A conductor
What type of circuit has only one path for electricity to flow?
Series circuit
Which circuit component provides the energy for the circuit?
Battery
A circuit has a battery, bulb, and wires, but one wire is not connected. Will the bulb light?
No, because the circuit is not complete.
What do we call a complete loop that allows electricity to flow?
A circuit
Give one example of a conductor.
Copper, aluminum, or most metals.
What type of circuit has multiple paths for electricity?
Parallel circuit
Which symbol represents a device that produces light in a circuit?
Light bulb symbol
A student builds a circuit but the switch is open. What must they do to make the bulb light?
Close the switch.
Name one power source that can start the flow of electricity in a simple circuit.
Battery/battery supply
What do we call a material that stops electricity from flowing?
An insulator
In which circuit would the lights stay on if one bulb burns out?
Parallel circuit
Which component opens or closes a circuit to control the flow of electricity?
Switch
A circuit has two bulbs in series. One bulb is removed. What happens to the other bulb?
It turns off because the circuit is broken.
If a switch is open in a circuit, what happens to the flow of electricity?
Electricity stops flowing / the circuit is incomplete.
Why is plastic used to cover electrical wires?
Because plastic is an insulator that protects people from electric shock.
Why might bulbs appear dimmer in a series circuit than in a parallel circuit?
Because the electricity (energy/voltage) is shared between the bulbs.
What do the lines connecting components in a circuit diagram represent?
Wires / conductors
A student builds a circuit using only plastic wires. Why does the bulb not light?
Plastic is an insulator and does not allow electricity to flow.
A student says, “If a circuit has a battery and wires, electricity will always flow.”
Do you agree or disagree? Explain your thinking.
Disagree. Electricity will only flow if the circuit is complete (closed). If there is a gap, open switch, or missing connection, electricity will not flow.
A person is using a phone charger with a damaged cord where the metal wire is exposed.
Explain why this could be dangerous using your knowledge of conductors and insulators.
The exposed metal wire is a conductor, so electricity can flow out of it. Without the plastic (insulator) covering, a person could touch the wire and get an electric shock.
Why are homes wired using parallel circuits instead of series circuits?
Because each device can work independently, and if one device stops working the others still work.
Why do scientists use symbols instead of pictures when drawing circuits?
Because symbols are simpler, universal, and make circuits easier to understand.
A circuit has two bulbs in parallel. One bulb burns out. What happens to the other bulb and why?
The other bulb stays on because electricity has another path in a parallel circuit.