Explore How Circuits Work

When learning about electricity we can make electrical circuits using different components.

It is a safe way to learn about electricity because the power for the circuits is coming from a battery which is much smaller than the power that comes from the mains electricity that we find in our homes.

When making an electrical circuit there are some essential components that are needed to make it work.

All circuits must have a working battery and wires with crocodile clips on the end.

All the other components are then a choice.

You can choose a bulb, a buzzer, a switch or a motor.

Here is a simple circuit with a battery, wires and a bulb.

You can choose to put different numbers of these components in the circuit, so you could choose two batteries, or two bulbs or a switch and a bulb.

In this activity, we will practise thinking about what components are needed in a circuit.