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Electrical Circuit MatchCard

Electrical Circuit MatchCard introduces students to the electric circuit diagram and uses simple activities to demonstrate the flow of electrons.

science-matchcard

Electrical Circuits

Objective: Diagram an electrical Circuit.

Explain that for electricity to flow, the electrons need to make a complete circle. Demonstrate this with the following experiment.

Electrical Circuit Experiment

Cut two pieces of aluminum foil approximately 12 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Fold the strips the long ways so they are 1/4 inch thick.
Set a battery on one end of one of the foil strips.
Touch the other end of that strip to the metal base of a flashlight bulb.
Now touch one end of the other strip to the flashlight bulb as well. Make sure the two aluminum strips do not touch each other.
Now touch the opposite end of the second strip to the positive end of the battery. The bulb will light up.

Diagram a circuit

Use the Electrical Circuit MatchCard to explain that the flow of electrons makes a complete circuit. When an electrical circuit is diagramed it always has the following components:

wires
switch
electrical source

Using the MatchCard, match the purpose of each componenet with its diagram and name.

Extra credit: Look up other symbols for more complex electronic circuits. What do each of these components do?

Electronic Kits

Most local toy stores and book stores have electronic kits for kids to help them understand and build electric circuits. These can be both fun and educational for students.

Using the Electrical Circuit MatchCard

This is the eighth Matchcard of the Light and Energy Unit Study. You can download the Electrical Circuits Matchcard here.

The student matches the description of the wires, electrical source, and switch to the diagram of the electrical circuit..

The second page is the Instructor's Guide with the correct answers.

The third page has the Information Pieces. Student's cut them apart and place them in the correct place on their copy of the Matchcard (first page.)

For more information on how to use the Matchcards, see the MatchCard Science Instructor's Guide.

MatchCard Science

The activities and illustration above are from MatchCard Science, a homeschool science unit study. For the complete Light and Energy Unit Study follow this link. This unit study provides:

hands-on demonstrations
MatchCard reviews to master the material
suggestions for science projects to complete
instructions on a complete unit study curriculum

Currently this curriculum is under-going revision. We are providing free access to the unit study, with the desire that you will provide feedback as you are field testing the materials.

Science Notebook

If you are just using this single project, and are not in need of a full unit study, you might want your student to complete a science notebook entry for this project.

Return from the Electrical Circuits Matchcard to the MatchCard Science Main Page.