Science
Electricity
Year One
Science | Year 4 | Electricity | Electrical Circuits | Lesson 3
Aim
• I can predict and test complete and incomplete circuits.
Success Criteria
• I can identify what makes a circuit complete.
• I can follow instructions to set up circuits.
• I can identify complete and incomplete circuits.
Complete and Incomplete Circuits
An electrical circuit can be complete or incomplete.
Incomplete Circuit Complete Circuit
Complete and Incomplete Circuits
Current electricity is the flow of electrical
charge though materials.
Every complete circuit must have a power
supply. The power supply could be the
mains, or it could be a battery.
For a circuit to be complete, there must be
wires connected to both the positive and
negative ends of the power supply.
Electricity can only flow around a
complete circuit that has no gaps.
Complete and Incomplete Circuits
Incomplete Circuit
This circuit is incomplete.
1.There is a gap in the circuit, so
the electrical current cannot flow
around it.
2.The wires do not connect to the
positive and negative ends of the
power supply (the battery).
Complete and Incomplete Circuits
Complete Circuit
This is a complete circuit.
1.There is a power supply (the
battery).
2.There are no gaps anywhere, so
the electrical current can flow
around the entire circuit.
3.The wires connect to both the
positive and negative ends of the
battery.
Electrical Circuits
Do you think the light bulb in this circuit will light up?
Yes No
NO
It is an incomplete circuit.
There is a break or gap on the circuit and the bulb is not joined to the battery in a circuit.
Electrical Circuits
Do you think the light bulb in this circuit will light up?
Yes No
No. The switch is turned off.
Electrical Circuits
Do you think the light bulb in this circuit will light up?
Yes No
Yes, because the circuit is complete.
Electrical Circuits
Do you think the light bulb in this circuit will light up?
Yes No
No, There is no battery.
Electrical Circuits
Do you think the light bulb in this circuit will light up?
Yes No
No, the circuit is incomplete.
Complete or Incomplete?
Complete or Incomplete?
Complete or Incomplete?
Complete or Incomplete?
Aim
• I can predict and test complete and incomplete circuits.
Success Criteria
• I can identify what makes a circuit complete.
• I can follow instructions to set up circuits.
• I can identify complete and incomplete circuits.
