Metals like copper are conductors that allow electricity to flow through them, while plastics and other non-metals are insulators that do not allow electricity to flow. A complete circuit with a conductive metal path and a power source like a battery is needed for an electric current to occur. Circuit diagrams use symbols to represent components like cells, lamps, and switches.
Metals like copper are conductors that allow electricity to flow through them, while plastics and other non-metals are insulators that do not allow electricity to flow. A complete circuit with a conductive metal path and a power source like a battery is needed for an electric current to occur. Circuit diagrams use symbols to represent components like cells, lamps, and switches.
Metals like copper are conductors that allow electricity to flow through them, while plastics and other non-metals are insulators that do not allow electricity to flow. A complete circuit with a conductive metal path and a power source like a battery is needed for an electric current to occur. Circuit diagrams use symbols to represent components like cells, lamps, and switches.
• Most of our houses, schools and other offices have
electricity. • There are wires hidden in the walls to carry electricity to where it is needed. • These wires are made of metal (copper) to carry electricity. • The metal copper is covered with plastic so that we do not get an electric shock if we touch the wires. • The metals like copper are called conductors because they allow electricity to flow through them. • Plastic and other non-metals are called insulators because they do not allow electricity to flow through them. Activity Connect the circuit shown to test whether the following materials are conductors or insulators. Materials : Aluminium foil, plastic pen, iron nail and wooden pencil
If the lamp lights up, the material is a conductor.
CURRENT ELECTRICITY Electricity makes a lamp light up. The lamp lights up because there is an electric current in the circuit. Two things are needed for an electric current to occur. • A complete circuit of metal around which the current can flow. • A cell or a battery (a source of electricity) to make the current to flow. Look at this simple circuit. • A switch breaks a circuit to stop the current flowing. CIRCUIT SYMBOLS
• It is very easy for the scientists to draw
circuits using circuit symbols. • Here is the circuit diagram of the above circuit using circuit symbols. Here are some of the most common circuit symbols. Summary
• Metals are good conductors of electricity.
• Non-metals are usually insulators. • A complete circuit is needed for a current to flow. • Circuit symbols are used by scientists to draw circuit diagrams. Questions 1.
Name each of the components A to D.
Answers 1. A – cell B – lamp C – switch, open D – closed switch