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Lesson 13 of 15

The big picture

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A lamp that will not glow has a reason.

Electricity: Circuits and their Components — the whole chapter on one screen
IdeaRememberExample
The loopThe lamp glows only when the path is closed, with no gap.One wire: dark. Two wires: lit.
SwitchA switch opens or closes the gap. ON is closed. OFF is open.A paper-clip switch.
ConductorsA conductor lets electric current through. An insulator does not.Metal: yes. Rubber: no.
SymbolsEvery part has a symbol. A drawing made of symbols is a circuit diagram.Long line and short line: a cell.
BatteryJoin the + of one cell to the − of the next. Turn one of two cells round, and their pushes cancel. The lamp stays dark.One cell turned round: dark.
One loopParts in one loop share one path. Take one out and every lamp goes dark.Lift one lamp, both go dark.
SafetyUse only cells for experiments. Keep your hands dry. Never use a damaged wire.An adult stays with you.
LEDAn LED lets current through one way only. It glows only when its long leg meets the + end.Long leg to +: glows.
Two kinds of currentA cell gives direct current, which flows one way. A wall socket gives alternating current, which keeps reversing.Torch cell: DC. Socket: AC.
Dark lampA dark lamp has a reason. Check the switch, the lamp, the cell and the wire ends.A fused lamp stays dark.

Look for a gap or an insulator. Look for two cells pushing against each other. Look for a broken filament.

Now open Chapter 3 in your NCERT book. You have built, drawn, broken and mended circuits.