Changing voltage
I can describe and apply the rules for voltage in a series circuit.
Changing voltage
I can describe and apply the rules for voltage in a series circuit.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The voltage of a battery measures the strength with which it can ‘push’ current around a circuit.
- The voltage of a component in an electric circuit measures the size of ‘push’ that is moving current through it.
- The voltage across each component in an electric circuit adds up to the voltage of the battery.
- A battery can be made of several electrical cells added together.
- The voltage of a battery made of electrical cells added in series is equal to the voltages of the cells added together.
Keywords
Voltage - Voltage is a measure of the ‘strength’ of the ‘push’ of a battery that sends charge round a circuit.
Potential difference - Potential difference is another name for voltage.
Volt - Voltage (or potential difference) is measured in volts (V).
Battery - A battery is a combined component that uses a chemical reaction to push electric charge round a circuit.
Electrical cell - An electrical cell is an individual unit which can be connected to other cells to make a battery of cells.
Common misconception
Students confuse ideas of voltage and current, they think of voltage as part of the current. Many also have difficulty in applying their concepts of current (and voltage) to novel situations.
Give students the opportunity to reflect on voltage as an ‘electric push’ and current as a flow of electric charge by considering how current is pushed through a bulb, and the effects that the current has on the bulb.
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Changing voltage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Changing voltage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Series circuits unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
measures voltage across a component
measures current through a component
opposes the flow of current around a circuit
allows current to flow around a circuit
Exit quiz
6 Questions
