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 7-9
Conductors, insulators & circuits
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. Why should you NEVER touch mains electrical switches, plugs or sockets with wet hands: tap water contains dissolved salts (ions) that conduct electricity and can cause a dangerous electric shock, or water freezes the switch?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. In a simple SERIES circuit with two bulbs in a single loop, if one bulb’s filament breaks (blows), what happens to the other bulb: it goes out too because the single circuit loop is broken, or it stays lit?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
6. 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
7. 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
8. In a standard circuit diagram, what component is represented by a circle with the letter “M” inside it: an electric motor or a buzzer?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
9. 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
10. 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
11. In a standard circuit diagram, what does a long thin vertical line paired with a shorter, thicker vertical line represent: a single electrical cell, or an open switch?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
12. 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
12 questions · Seed 104747 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 7-9
Conductors, insulators & circuits
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. Why should you NEVER touch mains electrical switches, plugs or sockets with wet hands: tap water contains dissolved salts (ions) that conduct electricity and can cause a dangerous electric shock, or water freezes the switch?
Tap water contains dissolved salts (ions) that conduct electricity and can cause a dangerous electric shock
Impure water is an electrical conductor and lowers the electrical resistance of skin.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. In a simple SERIES circuit with two bulbs in a single loop, if one bulb’s filament breaks (blows), what happens to the other bulb: it goes out too because the single circuit loop is broken, or it stays lit?
It goes out too because the single circuit loop is broken
A break anywhere in a series loop stops current throughout the entire loop.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. In a standard circuit diagram, what component is represented by a circle with the letter “M” inside it: an electric motor or a buzzer?
Electric motor
A circle with an “M” represents an electric motor that converts electrical energy into kinetic rotation.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. In a standard circuit diagram, what does a long thin vertical line paired with a shorter, thicker vertical line represent: a single electrical cell, or an open switch?
Single electrical cell
The long line marks the positive (+) terminal and the short thick line marks the negative (−) terminal of a cell.
12. 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.
12 questions · Seed 104747 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 7-9
Conductors, insulators & circuits
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. Why should you NEVER touch mains electrical switches, plugs or sockets with wet hands: tap water contains dissolved salts (ions) that conduct electricity and can cause a dangerous electric shock, or water freezes the switch?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. In a simple SERIES circuit with two bulbs in a single loop, if one bulb’s filament breaks (blows), what happens to the other bulb: it goes out too because the single circuit loop is broken, or it stays lit?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
6. 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
7. 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
8. In a standard circuit diagram, what component is represented by a circle with the letter “M” inside it: an electric motor or a buzzer?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
9. 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
10. 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
11. In a standard circuit diagram, what does a long thin vertical line paired with a shorter, thicker vertical line represent: a single electrical cell, or an open switch?
Cell (+) ── Switch ── (−) · Closed Series Loop
12. 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
12 questions · Seed 104747 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 7-9
Conductors, insulators & circuits
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. Why should you NEVER touch mains electrical switches, plugs or sockets with wet hands: tap water contains dissolved salts (ions) that conduct electricity and can cause a dangerous electric shock, or water freezes the switch?
Tap water contains dissolved salts (ions) that conduct electricity and can cause a dangerous electric shock
Impure water is an electrical conductor and lowers the electrical resistance of skin.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. In a simple SERIES circuit with two bulbs in a single loop, if one bulb’s filament breaks (blows), what happens to the other bulb: it goes out too because the single circuit loop is broken, or it stays lit?
It goes out too because the single circuit loop is broken
A break anywhere in a series loop stops current throughout the entire loop.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. In a standard circuit diagram, what component is represented by a circle with the letter “M” inside it: an electric motor or a buzzer?
Electric motor
A circle with an “M” represents an electric motor that converts electrical energy into kinetic rotation.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. In a standard circuit diagram, what does a long thin vertical line paired with a shorter, thicker vertical line represent: a single electrical cell, or an open switch?
Single electrical cell
The long line marks the positive (+) terminal and the short thick line marks the negative (−) terminal of a cell.
12. 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.
12 questions · Seed 104747 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification