Science Department

In preparation for more specific tasks in physics, you need to understand certain relationships from Key Stage 3

1. Collect the equipment shown by your teacher. NOTE - creating a short circuit can cause heat which leads to fire and/or burns

2. Build a series circuit with more than one bulb, note the effect is one bulb is "taken out". Note the relative brightness of each other

3. Measure the voltage and current at various points along your circuit. Note down the results on your circuit diagram and describe patterns that you have observed

4. Repeat as above but with a parallel circuit

Which type of circuit do you now think we have in our homes for lights? Explain your reasoning.

Extension - see if you can create a "2-way" lighting circuit. This is the special lighting circuit that allows a switch at the bottom of the stairs and one at the top of the stairs to control a single bulb