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Science: Middle School: Grades 6, 7 and 8 Quiz - Electrical Circuits 1 (Questions)

This Science quiz is called 'Electrical Circuits 1' and it has been written by teachers to help you if you are studying the subject at middle school. Playing educational quizzes is a fabulous way to learn if you are in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade - aged 11 to 14.

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Electrical circuits are closed paths for currents to flow and they are usually made of components joined by wires. Have you ever counted how many electrical items you have in your house? And would you remember to include those that use batteries? We have become very reliant on electrical goods since the first modern battery was invented by Allesandro Volta in 1800. At the flick of a switch we can have things our ancestors could only have dreamed of!

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How much do you know about electrical circuits? Why are electric wires coated with plastic or rubber? What do switches do? What is another name for batteries? Take this quiz to find out!

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What is an electrical circuit?

[ ]	A collection of electrical equipment
[ ]	A path around which electrical current flows
[ ]	A series of conductors and insulators
[ ]	A light bulb and battery

A material which allows electrical current to pass through it is called what?

[ ]	An insulator
[ ]	A cell
[ ]	A connection
[ ]	A conductor

With which group of items could you not build a complete circuit?

[ ]	Crocodile leads, bulbs, switch, buzzer
[ ]	Bulbs, crocodile leads, cell
[ ]	Cell, switch, buzzer, crocodile leads
[ ]	Wires, bulb, cell

What symbol is used in a circuit diagram to represent a bulb?

[ ]	A circle
[ ]	Two parallel lines: one short and one long
[ ]	An X inside a circle
[ ]	The letter M inside a circle

Which of these materials would not be a good electrical conductor?

[ ]	Copper
[ ]	Glass
[ ]	Silver
[ ]	Iron

Why are electrical wires covered with plastic or rubber?

[ ]	Plastic and rubber are comfortable materials to touch
[ ]	Smooth materials keep wires from getting tangled
[ ]	Plastic and rubber are good electrical insulators
[ ]	Plastic and rubber can be made in different colors so people can tell different leads apart

What will a circuit with an open switch do?

[ ]	It will not allow electricity to pass through
[ ]	It will allow electricity to pass through
[ ]	It will resist electricity
[ ]	It will make a good electrical insulator

Besides cells, or batteries, what is another source of electrical power?

[ ]	Lightbulbs
[ ]	Motors
[ ]	Petrol
[ ]	Electricity mains

You have made a simple circuit with one bulb. If you wanted to add an extra bulb without the first bulb dimming, what would you need to design?

[ ]	A series circuit
[ ]	A parallel circuit
[ ]	A complex circuit
[ ]	An incomplete circuit

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Why might a circuit fail to work?

[ ]	It might have a dead battery
[ ]	It might have two leads connected to the positive pole of the battery and none connected to the negative
[ ]	It might have a break in the circuit
[ ]	All of the above

Science: Middle School: Grades 6, 7 and 8 Quiz - Electrical Circuits 1 (Answers)

What is an electrical circuit?

[ ]	A collection of electrical equipment
[x]	A path around which electrical current flows
[ ]	A series of conductors and insulators
[ ]	A light bulb and battery

Electrical current flows in one direction from the negative pole of a battery around a complete circuit to the positive pole of the battery

A material which allows electrical current to pass through it is called what?

[ ]	An insulator
[ ]	A cell
[ ]	A connection
[x]	A conductor

Metals make good conductors

With which group of items could you not build a complete circuit?

[x]	Crocodile leads, bulbs, switch, buzzer
[ ]	Bulbs, crocodile leads, cell
[ ]	Cell, switch, buzzer, crocodile leads
[ ]	Wires, bulb, cell

Cells, or batteries, are the source of energy in a circuit

What symbol is used in a circuit diagram to represent a bulb?

[ ]	A circle
[ ]	Two parallel lines: one short and one long
[x]	An X inside a circle
[ ]	The letter M inside a circle

The letter M inside a circle represents a motor

Which of these materials would not be a good electrical conductor?

[ ]	Copper
[x]	Glass
[ ]	Silver
[ ]	Iron

Most metals are excellent electrical conductors. Some metals, such as aluminum, do not conduct electricity as well as other metals

Why are electrical wires covered with plastic or rubber?

[ ]	Plastic and rubber are comfortable materials to touch
[ ]	Smooth materials keep wires from getting tangled
[x]	Plastic and rubber are good electrical insulators
[ ]	Plastic and rubber can be made in different colors so people can tell different leads apart

Covering electrical wires in insulating materials such as rubber and plastic makes the leads safe to touch - an exposed wire is extremely dangerous and should NEVER be touched

What will a circuit with an open switch do?

[x]	It will not allow electricity to pass through
[ ]	It will allow electricity to pass through
[ ]	It will resist electricity
[ ]	It will make a good electrical insulator

If the switch is open then there is a break in the circuit. By closing the switch the circuit is made complete

Besides cells, or batteries, what is another source of electrical power?

[ ]	Lightbulbs
[ ]	Motors
[ ]	Petrol
[x]	Electricity mains

Mains electricity is the most common power source used in homes

You have made a simple circuit with one bulb. If you wanted to add an extra bulb without the first bulb dimming, what would you need to design?

[ ]	A series circuit
[x]	A parallel circuit
[ ]	A complex circuit
[ ]	An incomplete circuit

Unlike a series circuit, the lamps stay bright if you add more in a parallel circuit

10.

Why might a circuit fail to work?

[ ]	It might have a dead battery
[ ]	It might have two leads connected to the positive pole of the battery and none connected to the negative
[ ]	It might have a break in the circuit
[x]	All of the above

Dead batteries, incorrectly wired leads and breaks in the circuit are just some of the reasons why a circuit might not work