Electricity - Knowledge Organisers

By the end of the unit on electricity, students will understand various aspects of electrical energy. They will learn that electricity is produced using energy from natural sources like the Sun, oil, water, and wind, which are also referred to as fuel sources. Students will also become familiar with the types of appliances that run on electricity, including those powered by batteries and mains electricity. They'll recognise that batteries vary in size to accommodate the power needs of different appliances and will explore common electrically powered items.

Further, the unit will cover the workings of an electrical circuit, explaining that a complete circuit is a loop that enables electrical current to flow. Key components such as batteries (cells), wires, and electrical devices like bulbs, motors, or buzzers are introduced, as well as the role of a switch in controlling the current. In addition to practical knowledge, students will investigate the properties of electrical conductors and insulators, understanding that conductors allow electricity to pass through, completing a circuit, while insulators do not. The unit also includes vocabulary relevant to the topic, such as 'appliance', 'battery', 'bulb', 'conductor', 'current', and 'insulator', and students will engage in activities like creating circuits, identifying conductive materials, and drawing circuit diagrams.