Unit 5: Electricity and magnetism

Circuits, components and switches, mains electricity, and magnets: poles, strength and magnetic metals.

• 5.1 Electricity flows in circuits – Electricity needs a complete loop to flow.
• 5.2 Components and a simple circuit – Cells, bulbs, buzzers and motors – the parts of a circuit.
• 5.3 Switches – Open the switch, break the circuit.
• 5.4 Circuits with more components – More cells, brighter bulbs. More bulbs, dimmer bulbs.
• 5.5 Circuits with buzzers – Make a sound – and build an alarm.
• 5.6 Mains electricity – From the power station to your plug – and how to stay safe.
• 5.7 Magnets in everyday life – Magnets hide in fridges, speakers, motors and trains.
• 5.8 Magnetic poles – North and south: opposites attract.
• 5.9 Strength of magnets – Which magnet is strongest? Test it fairly.
• 5.10 Which metals are magnetic? – Not all metals stick to magnets.
• 5.11 Conductors and insulators – Metals let electricity flow; plastic keeps us safe.