How Circuits Work

Lab Brief #1

🎯 Your mission

Learn the rule. Then catch nature using it.

⚡ The twist

The opposite of what you expect is often what happens.

What you'll learn

Electricity flows through circuits. A simple circuit needs a power source, a conductor (wire), and a load (like a light bulb). Breaking the circuit stops the flow of electricity.

Key words

work
Using force to move an object over a distance.
power
How fast energy is used or work is done.
circuit
A closed loop that lets electricity flow around it.

Make a hypothesis first

Predict: what happens if you double the force?

Say your guess out loud — then find out if you were right.

Step 1 of 4 · Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2 of 4 · Do

Build a simple circuit using a battery, wire, and light bulb. Then add a switch and test what happens when you open and close it.

Step 3 of 4 · Observe

Draw a detailed diagram of what you observe.

Step 4 of 4 · Record

Write a conclusion: what did your results show? Did they match your prediction?

Question 1 of 3

What is needed for a simple electric circuit?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 2 of 3

Which is NOT a simple machine?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 3 of 3

Which simple machine is a ramp?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Mind = blown

🎢 You feel weightless on a roller coaster because you and the seat are falling at the same speed.

Nice work!

You got 0 of 3 right.

Next: Electromagnets All lessons

🎯

Next Smart Experiment

We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this in real life: You use this every time you flip a light switch, ride a bike, or kick a ball.

🏆 Stretch challenge (try it this week): Time how long a small ball rolls down something, then change the slope and try again.

👨‍👩‍👧 For the dinner table: “Show me something at home that uses this kind of energy.”

♨️Share card

Share this experiment

Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.

How Circuits Work

Next Smart Experiment

Share this experiment

How Circuits Work

Done with science? Try something else

Your Cart (0)