YourLearning

Grade 6 · Electrical Phenomena, Energy, and Devices · Electrical Energy and Circuits

Build and Compare Circuits

Current electricity requires a complete conducting path and a source of electrical potential. Circuit arrangements change how components share that path.

Visual model

See how the ideas connect

Look · connect · explain
Start at the centre. Follow each line and explain how that idea belongs to Electrical Energy and Circuits.

For students

Notice, predict, explain

Choose one part of the model. Predict how it connects to another part, then use the lesson evidence to explain your thinking.

For teachers

Pause for science talk

Show the model before the explanation. Ask “What do you notice?” and “What might change?” Then revisit student ideas after the worked example.

The big idea

Circuit structure controls the paths for current

A series circuit provides one path through all components, while a parallel circuit provides branches. Each arrangement has different effects when a component is added, removed, or fails.

Work it through

Compare two-lamp circuits

  1. Step 1 Connect a cell, switch, and two lamps in one continuous series path.
  2. Step 2 Opening the path anywhere stops current throughout the series circuit, so both lamps turn off.
  3. Step 3 Reconnect the lamps on separate parallel branches across the source.
  4. Step 4 Opening one branch stops current there while the other branch can remain complete and its lamp can stay on.