Circuit Symbols Matching

Year 6 ScienceElectricity4 pages

About this worksheet

A three-part Year 6 science worksheet on circuit symbols and what each component does. Pupils first join six components, from a lamp to a battery, to standard symbols such as a circle with an M for a motor. Next they match seven components to their jobs, with the cell done for them. Page 3 starts from a series circuit with one cell, a closed switch and two lamps, and asks what each of six changes would do. Question 8 asks how the cell and battery symbols relate. It follows the England National Curriculum, with answers on page 4.

Remix for free

Page 1 of 4

Circuit Symbols Matching: Electricity - page 1
Circuit Symbols Matching: Electricity - page 2
Circuit Symbols Matching: Electricity - page 3
Circuit Symbols Matching: Electricity - page 4

When this preview is focused, use the left and right arrow keys to move between pages.

Curriculum objectives covered

Electricity

“Use recognised symbols when representing a simple circuit in a diagram”

Page 1 matches all six symbols. Question 8 compares the cell and battery symbols.

Electricity

“Associate the brightness of a lamp or the volume of a buzzer with the number and voltage of cells used in the circuit”

Page 3, changes 1, 5 and 6 add a cell, reverse a cell and lower the voltage.

Electricity

“Compare and give reasons for variations in how components function, including the brightness of bulbs, the loudness of buzzers and the on/off position of switches”

Page 3, changes 2 and 3 cover a third lamp dimming the others and an open switch stopping the circuit.

What's inside this worksheet

Electrical Circuit Symbols and Components

Pupils draw lines from six names to six symbols. The open switch, the buzzer's D-shape and the dashed battery symbol are all on the page.

Component functions

Pupils write a letter beside seven components. The motor transfers electrical energy into kinetic energy, and the buzzer into sound.

Circuit changes and effects

Six changes, such as adding a second cell facing the opposite way or swapping a lamp for a buzzer, are matched to effects. Question 8 asks pupils to explain cell versus battery.

Answers

The symbol each name matches, with a description, letters for sets 2 and 3, and a model answer on why people call one AA cell a battery.

How teachers use it

Build and test

Set up the page 3 starting circuit with two lamps. Make each change in turn so pupils can check their letters against what the lamps do.

Reversed cell

Change 5 surprises most pupils. Turn one cell round in a real circuit and let them see the lamps go out.

Cell or battery

Hold up an AA cell and a battery pack before question 8. Most of the class will call both of them batteries.

More Year 6 Science worksheets

Living Things and Their HabitatsAnimals Including HumansEvolution and InheritanceLight

Get started today

Create your own lesson plans, worksheets, and classroom activities in minutes using our AI-powered tools.

Try Chalkie for free