Physical Science · Energy

Electricity & Simple Circuits

Build and test simple circuits, use a bulb as evidence of a complete path, and investigate which tested materials can bridge a gap.

Teacher workspace

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52 min~12 min prep9 materialsNGSS verified · 4-PS3-2 · 4-PS3-4

Lesson Plan

Plan with confidence

Use circuit diagrams and observations to explain why a device works only when the conducting path is complete.
Use results from controlled material tests to identify conductors and insulators in a simple classroom circuit.

In a simple battery-and-bulb circuit, the path must connect one battery terminal through the bulb and back to the other battery terminal.
A gap anywhere in that path makes the circuit open, so the bulb does not light.
A closed switch completes its part of the path; an open switch creates a gap.