Draw the circuit diagram

Draw the circuit diagram

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about drawing simple electrical circuit diagrams.
Use some or all of these components to draw the following circuits. 
 

battery
 
switches
 
bulbs
 

voltmeter
ammeter

connecting wires
 
a) A circuit which has a battery, a switch, and three light bulbs in series.
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
b) A circuit which allows you to choose whether you have one or two light bulbs glowing.
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
   
c) A circuit which has a battery, a switch, a bulb, and the energy difference across the bulb can be measured.
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Communicating in science, Physical World
Keywords: 
physics concepts, energy, electricity, circuits, circuit diagrams, symbols, drawing
Description of task: 
Task: Draw, using symbols, circuit diagrams of three described circuits. Assessment focus: using conventions of circuit diagram; knowledge of circuit construction.
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 circuit diagrams use a particular agreed code for the different elements.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
 

Y11 (03/2000)
a)
  • All components present.
  • Functioning circuit drawn.

very easy

very easy
b)
  • All components present (can have 1 or 2 switches).
  • Functioning circuit drawn.

easy

moderate
c)
  • All components present.
  • Functioning circuit drawn.

difficult

very easy
Diagnostic and formative information: 
Common error
 c)    30% of students.
 
   24% of students.
 
   8% of students.

Note: Students did not always include switches.