9.4Physics 03. Electricity And Magnetism
Use diagrams and conventional symbols to represent, make and… — Cambridge Checkpoint Science 0893 Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 8 parts Lesson 4 of 5 1 quiz
Lesson summary
9.4 Circuit symbols and circuit diagrams — CHECKPOINT - Lower Secondary Science 0893 notes: Use diagrams and conventional symbols to represent, make and test series and parallel circuits.Circuit diagram — a drawing that uses standard symbols to show how components are connected.R…
- Rules for drawing
- Collect the components shown on the diagram
- Connect them with wires in the same order as in the diagram
- Check the circuit is complete before closing the switch
- Close the switch and check that the lamp lights
- Switch — a switch can be placed in series to control the whole circuit
Section 1 of 8Circuit diagrams
Circuit diagram
- Circuit diagram a drawing that uses standard symbols to show how components are connected.
Rules for drawing
- Rules for drawing use a ruler or straight lines, draw the symbols neatly and make the lines join at corners.
Section 2 of 8Common circuit symbols
| Component | Symbol shown as | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Cell | A long line and a short line | Supplies electrical energy |
| Battery | Two or more cells joined | Supplies more voltage |
| Switch | A gap with a lever | Opens or closes the circuit |
| Lamp | A circle with a cross | Gives out light |
| Buzzer | Component that makes sound | Changes electrical energy to sound |
| Ammeter | A circle with the letter A | Measures current |
| Voltmeter | A circle with the letter V | Measures voltage |
| Resistor | A rectangle | Resists the flow of current |
| Mains supply | Symbol with the voltage written beside it | Supplies the mains voltage |
Section 3 of 8Building a circuit from a diagram
1
Collect the components shown on the diagram.
2
Connect them with wires in the same order as in the diagram.
3
Check the circuit is complete before closing the switch.
4
Close the switch and check that the lamp lights.
Section 4 of 8Adding and removing components
Adding and removing components
Switch
- Switch a switch can be placed in series to control the whole circuit.
Series
- Series adding a lamp in series makes all the lamps dimmer.
Parallel
- Parallel a lamp in its own branch lights at full brightness.
Section 5 of 8Checking a circuit that does not work
1
Check that the circuit is complete, with no gaps.
2
Check that the cell is connected the right way and is not flat.
3
Check that each connection is firm.
4
Check that no lamp is broken.
Section 6 of 8Series and parallel diagrams
Series
- Series the diagram is one loop with no branches.
Parallel
- Parallel the diagram has branches that join again, with components on separate branches.
Section 7 of 8Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Circuit diagram | A diagram using symbols to show a circuit. |
| Symbol | A standard shape that represents a component. |
| Switch | A component that opens or closes a circuit. |
| Component | A part of a circuit such as a lamp or buzzer. |
| Buzzer | Component that produces sound when current flows. |
Section 8 of 8Exam technique
1
The circuit symbol is a picture of the real component — it is a standard shape.
2
A circuit diagram is drawn freehand — it is drawn with straight lines and standard symbols.
3
A voltmeter goes in series — it goes in parallel with the component.
4
A lamp lights when there is a gap — the circuit must be complete.
Marked practiceQuizzes for this lesson
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