Compare conductors and insulators, series and parallel circuits, switches, fuses and circuit symbols. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.
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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12
Conductors, insulators & circuits
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. Which non-metal form of carbon (used in pencil leads) is an exception because it DOES conduct electricity: graphite or rubber?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
2. In a simple SERIES circuit containing one battery and two bulbs, if you add a third identical bulb in the same single loop, what happens to the brightness of the bulbs: they become dimmer because the voltage is shared and total resistance increases, or they become three times brighter?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
3. What happens when you open (turn off) a switch in a simple series circuit: it creates a gap (open circuit) that stops the current flowing and turns the bulb off, or it makes the bulb brighter?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
4. What component has a resistance that changes significantly with temperature (used in digital thermometers and thermostats): a thermistor or a loudspeaker?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
5. Why are electrical wires made with a copper metal core on the inside and a flexible plastic coating on the outside: copper conducts the electricity while the plastic insulator prevents electric shocks and short circuits, or plastic conducts electricity?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
6. What safety device inside a plug or fusebox contains a thin wire designed to melt and break the circuit if the current becomes dangerously high: a fuse or a motor?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
7. Materials such as plastic, rubber, glass and dry wood that do NOT allow electric current to flow through them are called: electrical insulators or electrical conductors?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
8. In a standard circuit diagram, what component is represented by a circle with an “X” (cross) inside it: a filament lamp (bulb) or a battery?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
9. What happens if two identical cells in a torch are put in facing opposite directions (+ touching +): their voltages cancel out and the bulb will not light, or the bulb shines twice as bright?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
10. Which circuit instrument is connected IN SERIES in a loop to measure the electric current in amperes (A): an ammeter or a voltmeter?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
11. In a series circuit, how does the electric current measured at different points around the single loop compare: the current is the SAME at every point in a series loop, or it gets used up by the bulb?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
12. What circuit component allows current to flow in ONE direction only (and emits light when it is an LED): a diode (or light-emitting diode) or a fixed resistor?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
12 questions · Seed 64 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12
Conductors, insulators & circuits
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. Which non-metal form of carbon (used in pencil leads) is an exception because it DOES conduct electricity: graphite or rubber?
Graphite
Graphite has delocalised electrons between its carbon layers, allowing it to conduct electricity.
2. In a simple SERIES circuit containing one battery and two bulbs, if you add a third identical bulb in the same single loop, what happens to the brightness of the bulbs: they become dimmer because the voltage is shared and total resistance increases, or they become three times brighter?
They become dimmer because the voltage is shared and total resistance increases
In a series loop, adding more bulbs increases resistance and splits the battery voltage across more components.
3. What happens when you open (turn off) a switch in a simple series circuit: it creates a gap (open circuit) that stops the current flowing and turns the bulb off, or it makes the bulb brighter?
It creates a gap (open circuit) that stops the current flowing and turns the bulb off
A switch controls a circuit by safely opening or closing the conducting gap.
4. What component has a resistance that changes significantly with temperature (used in digital thermometers and thermostats): a thermistor or a loudspeaker?
Thermistor
A thermistor is a temperature-sensitive resistor.
5. Why are electrical wires made with a copper metal core on the inside and a flexible plastic coating on the outside: copper conducts the electricity while the plastic insulator prevents electric shocks and short circuits, or plastic conducts electricity?
Copper conducts the electricity while the plastic insulator prevents electric shocks and short circuits
The metal core carries current; the outer plastic sheath keeps users safe.
6. What safety device inside a plug or fusebox contains a thin wire designed to melt and break the circuit if the current becomes dangerously high: a fuse or a motor?
Fuse
If a fault causes excessive current, the fuse wire melts, cutting off the electricity to prevent overheating and fire.
7. Materials such as plastic, rubber, glass and dry wood that do NOT allow electric current to flow through them are called: electrical insulators or electrical conductors?
Electrical insulators
Insulators have tightly bound electrons and block the flow of electric current.
8. In a standard circuit diagram, what component is represented by a circle with an “X” (cross) inside it: a filament lamp (bulb) or a battery?
Filament lamp (bulb)
A circle containing a cross is the standard circuit symbol for an indicator or lighting lamp.
9. What happens if two identical cells in a torch are put in facing opposite directions (+ touching +): their voltages cancel out and the bulb will not light, or the bulb shines twice as bright?
Their voltages cancel out and the bulb will not light
Cells in series must be aligned positive-to-negative so their voltages add together.
10. Which circuit instrument is connected IN SERIES in a loop to measure the electric current in amperes (A): an ammeter or a voltmeter?
Ammeter
An ammeter has very low resistance and is placed in series so all the current flows through it.
11. In a series circuit, how does the electric current measured at different points around the single loop compare: the current is the SAME at every point in a series loop, or it gets used up by the bulb?
The current is the SAME at every point in a series loop
Charge is conserved—the same number of coulombs per second passes every point in a single loop; energy is transferred, not current used up.
12. What circuit component allows current to flow in ONE direction only (and emits light when it is an LED): a diode (or light-emitting diode) or a fixed resistor?
Diode (or light-emitting diode)
A diode has low resistance in the forward direction and very high resistance in reverse.
12 questions · Seed 64 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12
Conductors, insulators & circuits
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. Which non-metal form of carbon (used in pencil leads) is an exception because it DOES conduct electricity: graphite or rubber?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
2. In a simple SERIES circuit containing one battery and two bulbs, if you add a third identical bulb in the same single loop, what happens to the brightness of the bulbs: they become dimmer because the voltage is shared and total resistance increases, or they become three times brighter?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
3. What happens when you open (turn off) a switch in a simple series circuit: it creates a gap (open circuit) that stops the current flowing and turns the bulb off, or it makes the bulb brighter?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
4. What component has a resistance that changes significantly with temperature (used in digital thermometers and thermostats): a thermistor or a loudspeaker?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
5. Why are electrical wires made with a copper metal core on the inside and a flexible plastic coating on the outside: copper conducts the electricity while the plastic insulator prevents electric shocks and short circuits, or plastic conducts electricity?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
6. What safety device inside a plug or fusebox contains a thin wire designed to melt and break the circuit if the current becomes dangerously high: a fuse or a motor?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
7. Materials such as plastic, rubber, glass and dry wood that do NOT allow electric current to flow through them are called: electrical insulators or electrical conductors?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
8. In a standard circuit diagram, what component is represented by a circle with an “X” (cross) inside it: a filament lamp (bulb) or a battery?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
9. What happens if two identical cells in a torch are put in facing opposite directions (+ touching +): their voltages cancel out and the bulb will not light, or the bulb shines twice as bright?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
10. Which circuit instrument is connected IN SERIES in a loop to measure the electric current in amperes (A): an ammeter or a voltmeter?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
11. In a series circuit, how does the electric current measured at different points around the single loop compare: the current is the SAME at every point in a series loop, or it gets used up by the bulb?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
12. What circuit component allows current to flow in ONE direction only (and emits light when it is an LED): a diode (or light-emitting diode) or a fixed resistor?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
12 questions · Seed 64 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12
Conductors, insulators & circuits
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. Which non-metal form of carbon (used in pencil leads) is an exception because it DOES conduct electricity: graphite or rubber?
Graphite
Graphite has delocalised electrons between its carbon layers, allowing it to conduct electricity.
2. In a simple SERIES circuit containing one battery and two bulbs, if you add a third identical bulb in the same single loop, what happens to the brightness of the bulbs: they become dimmer because the voltage is shared and total resistance increases, or they become three times brighter?
They become dimmer because the voltage is shared and total resistance increases
In a series loop, adding more bulbs increases resistance and splits the battery voltage across more components.
3. What happens when you open (turn off) a switch in a simple series circuit: it creates a gap (open circuit) that stops the current flowing and turns the bulb off, or it makes the bulb brighter?
It creates a gap (open circuit) that stops the current flowing and turns the bulb off
A switch controls a circuit by safely opening or closing the conducting gap.
4. What component has a resistance that changes significantly with temperature (used in digital thermometers and thermostats): a thermistor or a loudspeaker?
Thermistor
A thermistor is a temperature-sensitive resistor.
5. Why are electrical wires made with a copper metal core on the inside and a flexible plastic coating on the outside: copper conducts the electricity while the plastic insulator prevents electric shocks and short circuits, or plastic conducts electricity?
Copper conducts the electricity while the plastic insulator prevents electric shocks and short circuits
The metal core carries current; the outer plastic sheath keeps users safe.
6. What safety device inside a plug or fusebox contains a thin wire designed to melt and break the circuit if the current becomes dangerously high: a fuse or a motor?
Fuse
If a fault causes excessive current, the fuse wire melts, cutting off the electricity to prevent overheating and fire.
7. Materials such as plastic, rubber, glass and dry wood that do NOT allow electric current to flow through them are called: electrical insulators or electrical conductors?
Electrical insulators
Insulators have tightly bound electrons and block the flow of electric current.
8. In a standard circuit diagram, what component is represented by a circle with an “X” (cross) inside it: a filament lamp (bulb) or a battery?
Filament lamp (bulb)
A circle containing a cross is the standard circuit symbol for an indicator or lighting lamp.
9. What happens if two identical cells in a torch are put in facing opposite directions (+ touching +): their voltages cancel out and the bulb will not light, or the bulb shines twice as bright?
Their voltages cancel out and the bulb will not light
Cells in series must be aligned positive-to-negative so their voltages add together.
10. Which circuit instrument is connected IN SERIES in a loop to measure the electric current in amperes (A): an ammeter or a voltmeter?
Ammeter
An ammeter has very low resistance and is placed in series so all the current flows through it.
11. In a series circuit, how does the electric current measured at different points around the single loop compare: the current is the SAME at every point in a series loop, or it gets used up by the bulb?
The current is the SAME at every point in a series loop
Charge is conserved—the same number of coulombs per second passes every point in a single loop; energy is transferred, not current used up.
12. What circuit component allows current to flow in ONE direction only (and emits light when it is an LED): a diode (or light-emitting diode) or a fixed resistor?
Diode (or light-emitting diode)
A diode has low resistance in the forward direction and very high resistance in reverse.
12 questions · Seed 64 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification