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Unit 9: Electricity and circuits

Measuring the flow of electricity — HIA International - Grade 6 Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 8 parts Lesson 9 of 16 1 quiz

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Lesson summary

9.3 Measuring the flow of electricity — HIA INTERNATIONAL notes: Measure current in amps with an ammeter connected in series and describe how current behaves in a series circuit.Faster electrons — a bigger current means the electrons flow faster.Slower electrons — a smaller curre…

  • Small currents
  • Connection
  • Circuit symbol
  • Ammeter position
  • Example circuit
  • Same everywhere

Part 1 of 6Current and speed of electrons

Faster electrons
  • Faster electrons a bigger current means the electrons flow faster.
Slower electrons
  • Slower electrons a smaller current means the electrons flow more slowly.
Unit
  • Unit current is measured in amps, with the symbol A.
Small currents
  • Small currents measured in milliamps, where 1 A = 1000 mA.

Part 2 of 6Ammeter terminals

Terminals
  • Terminals an ammeter has two terminals, one red and one black.
Connection
  • Connection the red terminal must connect to the positive terminal of the power supply, directly or through other components.
Circuit symbol
  • Circuit symbol both ends look the same, so the colours are not shown.

Part 3 of 6Connecting an ammeter

In series
In series connected end to end, one after another, with no branches.
Ammeter position
  • Ammeter position an ammeter is always connected in series with the component being measured.
Example circuit
  • Example circuit a cell, switch, lamp and ammeter in one loop.

Part 4 of 6Reading an ammeter scale

1
Find the unit and the full-scale value on the dial.
2
Work out how many divisions lie between whole numbers.
3
Read the number the pointer shows.
4
Write the reading with the unit, such as 4 A.

Part 5 of 6Current in a series circuit

Same everywhere
  • Same everywhere the current is the same at every position in a series circuit.
Meaning
  • Meaning an ammeter gives the same reading wherever it is placed.
Reason
  • Reason electrons move at the same speed all the way round, so the current is not used up.

Part 6 of 6Investigating current in a series circuit

1
Connect a cell, lamps and a switch in series without the ammeter and copy the diagram.
2
Mark arrows showing the direction of electron flow from the negative to the positive terminal.
3
Place the ammeter at position X, close the switch and record the reading.
4
Open the switch, move the ammeter to Y and then Z, and record each reading.
5
Compare the three readings; they are the same.
  • Safety
    • open the switch before changing the circuit.

Key terms

TermMeaning
AmmeterA device that measures current.
AmpThe unit of current, symbol A.
SeriesConnected end to end with no branches.
CurrentThe flow of electrons in a circuit.
TerminalA connection on a component such as a cell or ammeter.
MilliampOne thousandth of an amp.
ElectronA negatively charged particle that flows in a circuit.
ScaleThe numbered markings on a meter.

Avoid these mistakes

1
Connecting an ammeter across a component — it must be in series.
2
Connecting the red terminal towards the negative terminal — red goes towards the positive side.
3
Thinking current decreases around the circuit — it is the same everywhere in a series circuit.
4
Writing a reading without the unit — the unit is amps (A).

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