REVISION GUIDE

CHEMISTRY
7J: CURRENT
ELECTRICITY
EXPLORING
SCIENCE
PAGE 151 TO 165

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 Checklist – 7J
Draw a ring around a number of stars for each statement. If you are very confident about a
statement, draw your ring around all the stars. If you do not know anything about a
statement do not draw a ring.

Topic At the end of the unit:

7Ja
Measure the current in part of a circuit using an ammeter.
* * * * *
State what is meant by current.
* * * * *
Describe the effect of adding more bulbs to a series circuit.
* * * * *
Describe what the current is like at different points in a series circuit.
* * * * *
7Jb Working Scientifically
Identify physical and abstract models.
* * * * *
Evaluate simple circuit models. * * * * *
7Jb
Describe how to make a simple circuit.
* * * * *
Model circuits using circuit diagrams and standard symbols.
* * * * *
Construct simple electrical circuits.
* * * * *
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of some of the models used to
explain electricity. * * * * *
7Jc
Describe the effect of adding more bulbs to a parallel circuit.
* * * * *
Describe how current divides between the branches in a parallel circuit.
* * * * *
Compare series and parallel circuits.
* * * * *
Predict what the currents will be in different parts of series and parallel
circuits. * * * * *
7Jd
State what is meant by voltage. * * * * *
Describe how current and voltage are measured. * * * * *
Explain what resistance is. * * * * *
Use models to help to explain the idea of voltage. * * * * *
7Je
Describe some uses and dangers of electricity.
* * * * *
Recall why fuses are used.
* * * * *
Describe some of the technological developments made possible by
electricity. * * * * *
Use electricity safely.
* * * * *
Explain how fuses work.
* * * * *
Wire a plug correctly.
* * * * *
Describe some ways in which electricity is used safely in homes.
* * * * *

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 Glossary
7Ja – Discovering electricity/Current
Word Pronunciation Meaning
ammeter A piece of equipment that measures how much
electricity is flowing around a circuit.
amp (A) The unit for measuring current.
battery Two or more cells used together.
cell A source of electricity with a low ‘energy’ (low
voltage). Cells push electrons round a circuit.
component com-po-nent Something in a circuit, such as a bulb, switch or
motor.
current The flow of electricity around a circuit.
filament The thin piece of wire inside a light bulb that glows
when the bulb is on.
power pack A source of electricity with a low voltage, that is
safe to use in schools.

7Jb – Models in science

Word Pronunciation Meaning
analogy A model that compares something complicated to
something that is easier to understand.
model A way of showing or representing something that
helps you to think about it or to find out about it.
physical model fi-zi-kal A model that you can touch, or a model that
you could build.
abstract model A model that only exists in your thoughts, or as a
computer program.

7Jb – Models for circuits

Word Pronunciation Meaning
charges Tiny particles that flow around a circuit.

7Jc – Series and parallel

Word Pronunciation Meaning
parallel circuit A circuit with two or more branches that split
apart and join up again.
series circuit A circuit in which there is only one loop of wire.

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7Jc – Using tables
Word Pronunciation Meaning
qualitative Something that is described in words.
quantitative Something that is described in numbers.

7Jd – Voltage and resistance

Word Pronunciation Meaning
across When one component (such as a voltmeter) is
connected in parallel to another.
resistance A way of saying how difficult it is for electricity to
flow through something.
resistor A component that makes it difficult for electricity
to flow – resistors are used to reduce the size of
the current in a circuit.
variable resistor A resistor whose resistance can be changed.
voltage A way of saying how much energy is transferred
by electricity.
voltmeter A piece of equipment that measures how much
energy is being transferred by a current.
volt (V) The unit for voltage.

7Je – Using electricity/A world without electricity

Word Pronunciation Meaning
cable The wire for something that runs off mains
electricity. It has three separate wires inside it.
cable grip Part of a plug that holds the cable, and stops the
wires being pulled out of the pins.
circuit breaker A safety device that switches off the electricity
supply if the current is too big.
earth pin The metal pin in a plug that the earth wire is
connected to.
earth wire The green and yellow wire in a cable or plug. It is
there for safety.
fuse A piece of wire that melts if too much electricity
flows through it.
fuse rating The largest current a fuse can conduct without
melting.
hazard Something that could be a danger.
live pin The metal pin in a plug that the live wire is
connected to.
live wire The brown wire in a cable or plug.
neutral pin The metal pin in a plug that the neutral wire is
connected to.

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 Word Pronunciation Meaning
neutral wire The blue wire in a cable or plug.
ring main A type of parallel circuit used in house wiring.
risk How likely it is that a particular hazard will cause a
danger.

Summary
Electrical circuits
Electricity is a flow of charges. Electricity can flow through conductors but not through
insulators. Metals are good conductors of electricity. Plastics are good insulators.
For current to flow in a circuit, you need:
● a complete circuit with no gaps
● a cell or power supply.
We can use models to help us to think about electricity and circuits. One model for a circuit
is a central heating system. The boiler and pump represent the cell, the pipes represent the
wires, and the radiators represent bulbs.

Symbols
Component Symbol Component Symbol Component Symbol

cell bulb ammeter

switch resistor voltmeter

Measuring electricity
● Current is the amount of electricity flowing in the circuit.
● It is measured using an ammeter connected in series.
● The units for current are amps (A).

● Voltage provides the ‘push’ and energy.

● It is measured using a voltmeter connected in parallel.
● The units are volts (V).

Resistance
The resistance of a circuit is a way of saying how easy or difficult it is for electricity to flow.
● High resistance = hard for electricity to flow = small current.
● Low resistance = easy for electricity to flow = large current.
Thin wires and resistors have high resistances. Thick wires have low resistances.

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Series and parallel circuits
Circuits can be series or parallel circuits.

Series circuit Parallel circuit

If one bulb breaks, all the others go off.
The current is the same everywhere.
If you put more bulbs in they will be
dimmer, because it is harder for the
electricity to get through. The resistance of
the circuit is higher with more bulbs.
If one bulb breaks, the bulbs in the other
branches stay on.
The current splits up when it comes to a
branch. The current in all the branches
adds up to the current in the main part of a
circuit.
If you add more bulbs, they stay bright. It is
easier for the current to flow with more
branches, because there are more ways for
the charges to go.

Safety
Electricity can be dangerous if it is not used properly. It can cause:
● fires
● burns
● shocks that can stop your heart or lungs working.
The wiring in houses is designed to be safe.
● Fuses are used in plugs. They melt if the current gets too high. A fuse has a rating that
shows what current it can carry without melting. It is important to use the correct fuse.
● Circuit breakers also cut off the current if it gets too high. They protect the ring mains
in buildings (loops of parallel circuits).
● Cables have three colour-coded inner wires. The live and neutral wires are part of the
circuit. The earth wire works with the fuse for safety.

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 Videos

Series and Parallel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCx-OVUn7Cw

7Je- Using electricity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OKTejgaWTY