The document provides an overview of electricity and circuits for 5th grade science. It defines atoms as made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Electricity occurs when electrons move between atoms. There are two types of electricity - static and current. Current electricity needs a power source like a battery and a complete circuit to flow. Circuit diagrams use symbols for components like cells and wires. There are two main types of circuits - series circuits where a break in one component breaks the whole circuit, and parallel circuits where a break leaves other parts still working. Students are asked to draw and build examples of each.

1. 5th Grade Physical Science

2. Atom
Before getting into electricity,
we need to review that
fundamental unit of matter:
The atom.
Remember that atoms are
made of a nucleus packed
with Protons (positive
charge) and Neutrons
(neutral charge), and orbited
by a cloud of much smaller
electrons (negative charge).
When electrons jump from
one atom to another it is
called electricity.

3. Forms of Electricity
Current Electricity Static Electricity
 Occurs when electric
current flows through a
conductor.
 Occurs when electric
charges build up on a
surface and are released
all at once.

4. Current Electricity
In order for electric current to flow through a conductor, like a wire, you need
two things:
• A power source to make the electricity flow, such as a battery.
• A complete path for the electric current to follow, called a
circuit.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/energy_electricity_forces/electric_current_voltage/revision/2/

5. Circuit Symbols
Symbols are used to draw diagrams of circuits, just as we use
symbols when we draw maps. This way you don’t have to draw every
piece of a circuit, you can just use the symbols instead.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/energy_electricity_forces/electric_current_voltage/revision/3/

6. Notice the difference here
between a “cell” and a
“battery”?
In physics (that’s what
you’re studying by the
way) we call a single
regular battery a “cell” in
electrical diagrams. Two
or more cells put together
are called a “battery”.
So remember:
= Cell = Battery

7. Circuit Diagram
Why use symbols? To make your diagram easy to both draw and read.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/energy_electricity_forces/electric_current_voltage/revision/3/

8. Let’s Try It!
Follow the directions in the activity to experiment with a circuit.
Changing Circuits

9. Types of Circuits
Parallel Circuit Series Circuit
 Branches
 If one light goes out the
other keeps working.
 No branches
 If one light burns out the
circuit is broken

10. Series Circuit
In a series circuit, the
lamps are placed one
after another in a
series.
When one lamp is
broken the other light
goes out because
there is no longer a
complete circuit from
the battery to the lamp
and back again.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/energy_electricity_forces/electric_current_voltage/revision/4/

11. Parallel Circuit
As you can see, in a parallel circuit electricity will continue to flow through the wires
even if one bulb is broken because it can still form a complete circuit from the
battery to the working bulb and back again.
This is why our houses are wired with parallel circuits. After all, you wouldn’t want
every single light in your house to go out every time a single bulb broke would you?
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/energy_electricity_forces/electric_current_voltage/revision/4/

12. Now It’s Your Turn
Using either a whiteboard, paper, or your desk (ask your
teacher!) draw a diagram of a series circuit with:
• cell
• two lights
• one switch
Next, draw a diagram of a parallel circuit with:
• a battery (not a cell!)
• two lights
• one switch

13. Assessment
With your assigned group / partner, use the
materials provided to actually build and test
your diagramed circuits.
Done Early?
Go above and beyond to learn
about current and voltage here:
Current & Voltage