Circuit investigations

Circuit investigations

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
What is a circuit?
a) i) Using the equipment you have, test each of the following circuits. Put a tick over it if it works, or a cross if it doesn't.
  1)   2)   3)
  4)   5)   6)
  ii)
Why do some of the circuits work, while others do not?
 
 
 
b) Now make up these two circuits.

A B
  i)
What did you find out?
 
 
  ii)
Explain why this happened.
 
 
 
 
 
c) Make up these two circuits and explain your results.

A B
 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
Equipment
2 × batteries, 2 × bulbs, 3 × wires.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Physical World
Keywords: 
physical inquiry, energy, electricity, circuits
Description of task: 
This practical task requires students to test a number of circuits and to give reasons why some of the circuits do not work while others do. Students also look at other circuits and explain what happens to the brightness of the bulb.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss how circuit diagrams represent the flow of electricity are how they are interpreted.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Making Better Sense: 
Circuits
Answers/responses: 

a)

i)
ii)

 Correctly ticks circuits b), d), and f).
Because there is a connection from the +ve end of the battery to one part of the bulb, and a connection from the –ve end (of the battery) to another part of the bulb.

b)

i)
ii)

 Bulb A glowed brighter (than bulb B), or reverse of.
Bulb A gets more energy (or reverse of).
c)

 

 The bulbs in B are not as bright/dimmer.
Because they share the energy between them.