07. Modelling circuits
How can using models help us better understand how electrical circuits work?
Activity - In pairs complete the electricity and water worksheet to produce a T-chart that compares electrical circuits with the water heater model.
The drawing shows a model that can help you to think about electricity.
1 What do the following parts of the model represent?
a the burger bar
b the burgers
c the people carrying the burgers
d the people digging the hole
2 a Does the model show that the electrons are not used up as they fl ow around a circuit?
b Explain your answer.
3 a Does the model show how the electrons are pushed around the circuit?
b Explain your answer.
4 How could you change the model to represent a switch? Explain your answer.
5 How could you change the model to show a circuit with a higher resistance? Explain your answer.
6 a What are the strengths of this model (which parts of a circuit does it represent well)?
b What are the weaknesses?
Can you...
> use a model to help you think about electricity
> evaluate how good a model is