The thin metal wire inside some light bulbs is called a filament. When it gets hot it glows and emits light.

A faulty component is one that is damaged or isn't conducting electricity properly.

A series circuit is an electric circuit with one complete loop from one end of a battery round to the other end.

A complete circuit is one where there are no gaps so electricity is able to flow round the circuit.

A test circuit is used to check if a component (or other circuit) is allowing electricity to flow through.

Fixing faulty circuits

Science

In the Magnets and electromagnets unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about how electric current flows through electromagnets, factors that affect the strength of electromagnets and uses of electromagnets that include a simple electric motor.

In Changing circuits unit (Y6), pupils learnt to construct simple circuits, and about complete circuits, circuit diagrams and how the number and voltage of cells in a battery affect components in a circuit. 

Series circuits

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Which device can be used to check if a component is working correctly?

Which of these is needed to allow electricity to flow around a circuit? 

What is the name of the fine wire found in some types of bulb that glows when electricity passes through it?

The motor will spin faster but the other bulb will get dimmer.

The motor will spin faster but the other bulb will get brighter.

The other bulb and motor will stop working.

The other bulb and motor will continue working as before.

In this circuit, every component works as it should until one of the bulbs blows. Which statement correctly predicts what will happen to the other components? 

The metal wire inside the cable can break or get disconnected.

The cable is not correctly connected to a component. 

Which of these could cause an electrical cable not to work?

The bulb is not fully screwed into the holder.

Which of these will cause a series circuit to stop working if the filament inside a bulb breaks?

Which of these series circuits are correctly connected?

Which of these electrical components is designed to spin when electricity flows through it?

What are used to represent electrical leads in a circuit diagram? 

Which of these electrical components has two metal contacts that open to stop electricity from flowing and close to allow it to pass through? 

the right side of battery is not connected

Sofia has drawn a circuit incorrectly. What mistake has she made?

provides the 'push' to send electricity around a circuit.

allows electricity to flow from one component to another.

emits light when electricity flows through it.

makes a sound when electricity flows through it.

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz