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