Here’s a complete Year 7 science topic on Using Electricity, designed like a mini unit with
explanations, activities, and challenge questions at the end of each section.
⚡ Year 7 Science: Using Electricity
1. What is Electricity?
Electricity is the flow of tiny particles called electrons. These move through materials (like
wires) to carry energy from one place to another.
There are two main types:
Static electricity – a build-up of charge (e.g. rubbing a balloon)
Current electricity – a flow of charge through a circuit
👉 Everyday examples:
Lighting
Charging phones
Running appliances
🔍 Challenge Questions
1. Why don’t electrons move freely in all materials?
2. What is the difference between static and current electricity in real-life situations?
3. Can electricity exist without movement of electrons? Explain.
2. Electric Circuits
A circuit is a complete loop that allows electricity to flow.
Key Components:
Battery (cell) – provides energy
Wires – carry current
Bulb – uses energy (light)
Switch – opens/closes the circuit
Types of Circuits:
Series circuit – one loop
Parallel circuit – multiple branches
🔍 Challenge Questions
1. Why does a bulb go off if one component breaks in a series circuit?
2. Why are parallel circuits used in homes instead of series circuits?
3. Predict what happens to brightness if more bulbs are added in:
o a series circuit
o a parallel circuit
3. Current, Voltage, and Resistance
Key Ideas:
Current (I) = flow of electric charge
Voltage (V) = energy supplied
Resistance (R) = opposition to flow
These are linked by:
V=IRV = IRV=IR
III
RRR
V=IR=12V = IR = 12V=IR=12
This is called Ohm’s Law.
🔍 Example:
If voltage = 6V and resistance = 3Ω:
Current = 6 ÷ 3 = 2A
🔍 Challenge Questions
1. What happens to current if resistance increases but voltage stays the same?
2. Why do thin wires have more resistance than thick wires?
3. A device has:
o Voltage = 12V
o Resistance = 4Ω
Find the current.
4. Conductors and Insulators
Conductors:
Allow electricity to flow easily
Examples: copper, aluminum
Insulators:
Do not allow electricity to pass
Examples: rubber, plastic
🔍 Challenge Questions
1. Why are wires made of metal but coated in plastic?
2. Can a material be both a conductor and insulator? Explain.
3. Why is water sometimes dangerous around electricity?
5. Electrical Safety
Important Safety Rules:
Never touch electrical devices with wet hands
Do not overload sockets
Turn off power before fixing devices
Use insulated tools
🔍 Real-Life Safety Devices:
Fuse – melts if current too high
Circuit breaker – automatically switches off
🔍 Challenge Questions
1. Why does a fuse protect appliances but also people?
2. What might happen if there were no circuit breakers in homes?
3. Explain why birds can sit on power lines without getting shocked.
6. Energy Transfers
Electrical energy can change into:
Light (bulb)
Heat (heater)
Sound (speaker)
Movement (fan)
🔍 Challenge Questions
1. Why do some devices waste energy as heat?
2. Which device is more efficient: one that produces heat or one that produces light?
Why?
3. Suggest ways to reduce wasted electrical energy at home.
🧠 Final Big Challenge (Extension Task)
1. Design a simple circuit that:
o Uses a switch
o Has two bulbs
o Keeps working if one bulb breaks
2. Explain:
o Whether your circuit is series or parallel
o Why you chose that design
3. Calculate:
o If each bulb has resistance of 6Ω and voltage is 12V, what is the current?