✩

Background knowledge
Switching circuits
A simple circuit diagram often looks like a rectangle. It shows how the loads,
batteries, wires, and switches are linked together, and how the circuit is
organized.
+ _

Science activity
Look at the two pictures of circuits.
+ _ + _
+ _

Draw a circuit diagram for each of the circuits shown.

What will happen in the second circuit when the switch is off and when it is on?

Science investigation
Take extra care - ask an adult to supervise you.
Using 3x5 cards, create a game to teach your friends about circuits.
Draw different parts of the circuit on each card. One card can be a
lamp and another can be a connecting wire. Players can pick cards
and the first player with enough cards to make a complete circuit
wins. Try the game out with your family and friends.

70

© Dorling Kindersley Limited [2010]

70 ✩ Background knowledge
Switching circuits 7
A simple circuit diagram often looks like a rectangle. It shows how the loads,
batteries, wires, and switches are linked together, and how the circuit is
organized.
+ _

Science activity
Look at the two pictures of circuits.
+ _ + _
+ _

Draw a circuit diagram for each of the circuits shown.

+ _ + _ + _

What will happen in the second circuit when the switch is off and when it is on?
When the switch is off, only one bulb will light up but, when the
switch is on, both bulbs will light up.

Science investigation
One possible game is to make a deck of cards with
circuit components. The players draw from a deck, always
keeping a certain number of cards in their hand. The first
player to have all the cards needed to set up a circuit wins.

One possible game is to make a deck of cards with

circuit components. The
© Dorling players
Kindersley Limiteddraw
[2010] from a deck,

always keeping a certain number of cards in their