CBSE Class 7ScienceQuestions & AnswersChapter level
Electricity: Circuits and their Components
Chapter-wise questions and answers for Electricity: Circuits and their Components in Class 7 Science, with a clear summary, key points, and exam-ready model answers.
What you will find on this page: a clear chapter summary, revision notes, word meanings, important questions, MCQs, and exam-ready question answers for Class 7 Science.
After reviewing the chapter explanation, answer the short-answer, long-answer, extract-based, and objective questions below.
About 66 min readelectricity-circuits-and-their-componentsUpdated 15 Sep 2026
150 questions
Question 1: Nihal and his classmates visited which dam to see hydroelectric power generation?
(a) Sardar Sarovar Dam (b) Tehri Dam (c) Hirakud Dam (d) Bhakra Nangal Dam
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(d)
Question 2: The Bhakra Nangal Dam is located on which river?
(a) Godavari (b) Sutlej (c) Ganga (d) Yamuna
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(b)
Question 3: The electric cell is a source of
(a) Chemical energy (b) Heat energy (c) Light energy (d) Electrical energy
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(d)
Question 4: How many terminals does an electric cell have?
(a) Two (b) Three (c) One (d) Four
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(a)
Question 5: The positive terminal of an electric cell is the
(a) Bottom of the cell (b) Metal cap (c) Side of the cell (d) Flat metal disc
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(b)
Question 6: The negative terminal of an electric cell is the
(a) Top of the cell (b) Side label (c) Metal cap (d) Flat metal disc
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(d)
Question 7: A combination of two or more electric cells is called a
(a) Circuit (b) Battery (c) Terminal (d) Switch
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(b)
Question 8: In a battery, the positive terminal of one cell is connected to the
(a) Negative terminal of the next cell (b) Switch (c) Positive terminal of the next cell (d) Lamp only
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(a)
Question 9: The thin wire inside an incandescent lamp that glows is called the
(a) Terminal (b) Conductor (c) Switch (d) Filament
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(d)
Question 10: In an incandescent lamp, the filament is attached to how many thicker support wires?
(a) Two (b) Three (c) One (d) Four
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(a)
Question 11: The two terminals of an incandescent lamp are
(a) Two flat discs (b) Two metal caps (c) Metal case at the base and the metal tip at the centre of the base (d) Two wires at the top
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(c)
Question 12: An LED lamp does NOT have a
(a) Filament (b) Wire (c) Positive terminal (d) Negative terminal
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(a)
Question 13: In an LED, the longer wire is the
(a) Filament (b) Positive terminal (c) Negative terminal (d) Switch
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(b)
Question 14: An LED glows only when
(a) The circuit is open (b) Its terminals are connected in any direction (c) Its positive terminal connects to the positive terminal of the battery and negative to negative (d) No current flows through it
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(c)
Question 15: An incandescent lamp glows
(a) Regardless of which terminal connects to which terminal of the cell (b) Only when connected in the correct polarity (c) Only without a switch (d) Only when connected to an LED
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(a)
Question 16: The direction of electric current in an electrical circuit is taken to be from
(a) Negative to positive terminal (b) Right to left (c) Positive to negative terminal of the electric cell (d) Top to bottom
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(c)
Question 17: An electrical circuit provides a
(a) Path for heat only (b) Partial path for current (c) Path for light only (d) Complete path for electric current to flow
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(d)
Question 18: The lamp glows only when
(a) Current passes through the circuit (b) The circuit is open (c) The switch is off (d) There is no cell
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(a)
Question 19: A switch is a device that
(a) Measures current (b) Stores electricity (c) Generates electricity (d) Either completes or breaks a circuit
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(d)
Question 20: When the switch is in the ON position, the circuit is
(a) Closed (b) Open (c) Broken (d) Disconnected
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(a)
Question 21: When the switch is in the OFF position, the circuit is
(a) Complete (b) Connected (c) Open (d) Closed
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(c)
Question 22: A switch can be placed
(a) Anywhere in a circuit (b) Only near the cell (c) Only at the start of the circuit (d) Only near the lamp
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(a)
Question 23: A representation of an electrical circuit using symbols is called a
(a) Flow chart (b) Circuit diagram (c) Block diagram (d) Sketch
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(b)
Question 24: Materials through which electric current can flow easily are called
(a) Resistors (b) Switches (c) Good conductors (d) Insulators
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(c)
Question 25: Materials through which current cannot pass through are called
(a) Conductors (b) Terminals (c) Filaments (d) Insulators
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(d)
Question 26: Which of the following is a good conductor of electricity?
(a) Copper (b) Wood (c) Plastic (d) Rubber
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(a)
Question 27: Which of the following is an insulator?
(a) Aluminium (b) Rubber (c) Iron (d) Copper
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(b)
Question 28: Metals are used for making wires because they are
(a) Insulators (b) Poor conductors (c) Good conductors of electricity (d) Transparent
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(c)
Question 29: The best electrical conductors among the following are
(a) Silver, copper, gold (b) Aluminium, zinc, lead (c) Tin, mercury, sodium (d) Iron, nickel, cobalt
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(a)
Question 30: Copper is mainly used for making electrical wires because of its
(a) Heavy weight (b) Beautiful colour (c) High cost (d) Lower cost and abundant supply
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(d)
Question 31: In a simple circuit, the cell holder is used to
(a) Store extra cells (b) Produce light (c) Hold the cell securely and ensure proper contact (d) Act as a switch
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(c)
Question 32: The plastic covering on electric wires is meant to
(a) Make the wire stronger (b) Insulate and protect from electric shock (c) Make the wire look attractive (d) Help current flow faster
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(b)
Question 33: The human body is a
(a) Conductor of electricity (b) Switch (c) Good insulator (d) Battery
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(a)
Question 34: In the symbol of an electric cell, the long line represents the
(a) Filament (b) Positive terminal (c) Negative terminal (d) Switch
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(b)
Question 35: In the symbol of a battery, the terminals are represented by
(a) A circle (b) A cross (c) A rectangle (d) A series of alternate long and short lines
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(d)
Question 36: The symbol of a lamp (incandescent) in a circuit diagram is
(a) A zigzag line (b) A triangle (c) A circle with a cross (d) A rectangle
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(c)
Question 37: For safe experiments with electricity, one should use
(a) Only batteries or cells (b) High-voltage wires (c) Portable generators (d) Home power supply
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(a)
Question 38: Electricity can be generated by
(a) Windmills (b) All of these (c) Falling water (d) Solar panels
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(b)
Question 39: The term 'battery' is also commonly used for
(a) A lamp (b) A combination of two or more cells (c) Only a single cell (d) A switch
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(c)
Question 40: The filament in an incandescent lamp gets ________ and glows to produce light.
(a) Wet (b) Hot (c) Cold (d) Dry
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(b)
Question 41: The two terminals of an incandescent lamp are fixed in such a way that they
(a) Touch each other (b) Are connected by a wire (c) Are always open (d) Do not touch each other
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(d)
Question 42: An LED allows current to flow in
(a) Both directions (b) One direction only (c) Random directions (d) No direction
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(b)
Question 43: The 13-kilometre train ride during the school trip was along the
(a) Narmada river (b) Ganga river (c) Sutlej river through the Shivalik hills (d) Yamuna river
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(c)
Question 44: Which of the following is used in a torchlight?
(a) All of these (b) Electric cells (c) Switch (d) Lamp
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(a)
Question 45: When the safety pin in a homemade switch does not touch the second drawing pin, the circuit is
(a) Complete (b) Connected (c) Closed (d) Open
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(d)
Question 46: When the safety pin touches both drawing pins in a homemade switch, the circuit is
(a) Closed (b) Disconnected (c) Open (d) Broken
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(a)
Question 47: Wires are coated with plastic or rubber because these materials are
(a) Filaments (b) Conductors (c) Insulators (d) Switches
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(c)
Question 48: The electric supply from power stations reaches our homes and factories through
(a) Air (b) Water (c) Pipes (d) Wires
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(d)
Question 49: Which of the following is NOT a use of electricity?
(a) Transportation (b) Cooking (c) None — all are uses of electricity (d) Lighting
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(c)
Question 50: The switches used for lights and fans at home work on the same principle as
(a) A lamp (b) A battery (c) A cell (d) A simple switch that completes or breaks a circuit
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(d)
Question 51: Which of the following materials will make a lamp glow when placed in a circuit?
(a) Wood (b) Iron nail (c) Rubber (d) Plastic
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(b)
Question 52: A circuit in which current can flow is called a ________ circuit.
(a) Open (b) Incomplete (c) Closed (d) Broken
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(c)
Question 53: An open circuit is one in which
(a) There is a gap that prevents current flow (b) Current flows freely (c) The switch is on (d) The lamp glows
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(a)
Question 54: The danger signs on electric poles warn us that electricity
(a) Cannot harm anyone (b) Is cheap (c) Can be dangerous if not carefully handled (d) Is always safe
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(c)
Question 55: In a circuit diagram, the symbol for an open switch is represented by
(a) A circle (b) A closed line (c) A cross (d) A line with a gap
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(d)
Question 56: An electric cell is a portable source of ________ energy.
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electrical
Question 57: The metal cap of an electric cell is the ________ terminal.
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positive
Question 58: A combination of two or more cells is called a ________.
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battery
Question 59: The thin wire inside an incandescent lamp that glows is called the ________.
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filament
Question 60: An LED glows only when its positive terminal is connected to the ________ terminal of the battery.
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positive
Question 61: The direction of electric current in a circuit is taken from the ________ to the ________ terminal of the cell.
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positive, negative
Question 62: A switch is a device that either completes or ________ a circuit.
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breaks
Question 63: When the switch is in the ON position, the circuit is ________.
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closed
Question 64: Materials through which electric current can flow easily are called ________ of electricity.
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conductors (or good conductors)
Question 65: Materials through which current cannot pass are called ________.
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insulators
Question 66: The metal most commonly used for making electrical wires is ________.
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copper
Question 67: The best electrical conductors are silver, copper, and ________.
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gold
Question 68: A representation of an electrical circuit using symbols is called a ________.
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circuit diagram
Question 69: The ________ wire in an LED is the positive terminal.
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longer
Question 70: The ________ wire in an LED is the negative terminal.
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shorter
Question 71: An electric cell has two terminals — positive and negative.
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True
Question 72: In a battery, the positive terminal of one cell is connected to the positive terminal of the next cell.
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False
Question 73: An LED has a filament inside it.
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False
Question 74: An incandescent lamp glows regardless of which terminal connects to the positive or negative terminal of the cell.
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True
Question 75: Electric current flows from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of the cell.
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False
Question 76: A switch can be placed anywhere in a circuit.
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True
Question 77: Copper is used for making electrical wires because it is the best electrical conductor available.
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False
Question 78: The human body is a conductor of electricity.
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True
Question 79: Rubber and plastic are good conductors of electricity.
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False
Question 80: When the switch is in the OFF position, the circuit is open and no current flows.
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True
Question 81: A battery can be made up of two or more cells.
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True
Question 82: An LED allows current to flow in both directions.
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False
Question 83: The symbol for a cell in a circuit diagram uses a long line for the positive terminal.
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True
Question 84: It is safe to perform experiments with the home power supply.
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False
Question 85: In a torch, the lamp glows when the switch completes the circuit.
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True
Question 86: Set 1:
| Column A | Column B |
|----------|----------|
| A. Electric cell | (i) Has no filament, glows in one direction |
| B. Battery | (ii) Portable source of electrical energy |
| C. Incandescent lamp | (iii) Completes or breaks a circuit |
| D. LED | (iv) Combination of two or more cells |
| E. Switch | (v) Has a filament that glows |
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A–(ii), B–(iv), C–(v), D–(i), E–(iii)
Question 87: Set 2:
| Column A | Column B |
|----------|----------|
| A. Copper | (i) Insulator |
| B. Rubber | (ii) Positive terminal of cell |
| C. Metal cap | (iii) Good conductor of electricity |
| D. Flat metal disc | (iv) Long line in circuit symbol |
| E. Positive terminal in diagram | (v) Negative terminal of cell |
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A–(iii), B–(i), C–(ii), D–(v), E–(iv)
Question 88: Assertion (A): A battery provides more energy than a single cell.
Reason (R): A battery is formed by connecting two or more cells with the positive terminal of one connected to the negative terminal of the next.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) A is false but R is true.
(c) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(d) A is true but R is false.
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(a)
Question 89: Assertion (A): An LED glows only when its terminals are connected in the correct direction.
Reason (R): An LED allows current to flow in one direction only.
(a) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(b) A is true but R is false.
(c) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(d) A is false but R is true.
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(c)
Question 90: Assertion (A): An incandescent lamp does not glow when connected to a cell, regardless of polarity.
Reason (R): In an incandescent lamp, it does not matter which terminal connects to the positive or negative terminal of the cell.
(a) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(b) A is false but R is true.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
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(b)
Question 91: Assertion (A): Electric wires are coated with plastic or rubber.
Reason (R): Plastic and rubber are good conductors of electricity.
(a) A is false but R is true.
(b) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
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(c)
Question 92: Assertion (A): The human body is a conductor of electricity.
Reason (R): Touching live wires can be dangerous.
(a) A is false but R is true.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
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(b)
Question 93: Assertion (A): A switch can be placed anywhere in a circuit.
Reason (R): A switch only needs to complete or break the path of current.
(a) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(b) A is true but R is false.
(c) A is false but R is true.
(d) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
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(d)
Question 94: Assertion (A): Copper is the best electrical conductor and is therefore the only metal used for wires.
Reason (R): Copper is used mainly due to its comparatively lower cost and abundant supply.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) A is false but R is true.
(c) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(d) A is true but R is false.
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(b)
Question 95: Assertion (A): When the switch is in the OFF position, the lamp does not glow.
Reason (R): In the OFF position, there is a gap in the circuit that prevents current flow.
(a) A is false but R is true.
(b) A is true but R is false.
(c) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(d) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
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(d)
Question 96: What is an electric cell? Name its two terminals.
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An electric cell is a portable source of electrical energy. It has two terminals — a positive terminal (the metal cap marked with a + sign) and a negative terminal (the flat metal disc marked with a – sign).
Question 97: What is a battery? How are the cells arranged in a battery?
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A battery is a combination of two or more electric cells connected together to provide more energy or last longer. In a battery, the positive terminal of one cell is connected to the negative terminal of the next cell.
Question 98: Differentiate between an incandescent lamp and an LED.
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An incandescent lamp has a thin filament that gets hot and glows to produce light. It glows regardless of which terminal connects to the cell's positive or negative terminal. An LED has no filament, has a longer wire (positive) and shorter wire (negative), and glows only when connected in the correct polarity. Current flows in one direction only in an LED.
Question 99: What is an electrical circuit?
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An electrical circuit is a complete path that allows electric current to flow from a power source (like a cell or battery) through a device (like a lamp) and back. The lamp glows only when current passes through the circuit.
Question 100: In which direction is electric current said to flow in a circuit?
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The direction of electric current in an electrical circuit is taken to be from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the electric cell.
Question 101: What is the function of a switch in a circuit?
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A switch is a simple device that either completes (closes) or breaks (opens) a circuit. In the ON position, the circuit is closed and current flows, making the lamp glow. In the OFF position, the circuit is open and no current flows.
Question 102: What are conductors and insulators? Give one example of each.
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Conductors are materials through which electric current can flow easily (e.g., copper, aluminium). Insulators are materials through which current cannot pass (e.g., rubber, plastic, wood).
Question 103: Why are metals used for making electrical wires?
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Metals are good conductors of electricity, allowing electric current to flow easily. Copper is mainly used for electrical wires due to its comparatively lower cost and abundant supply, though silver, copper, and gold are the best electrical conductors.
Question 104: Why are electric wires coated with plastic or rubber?
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Plastic and rubber are insulators (poor conductors of electricity). Coating wires with these materials prevents electric current from flowing through them to anyone who touches the wire, ensuring safety from electric shock.
Question 105: What is a circuit diagram?
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A circuit diagram is a representation of an electrical circuit using standard symbols for each component. It makes circuits easy to draw, understand, and share with others. International bodies have standardised these symbols for universal understanding.
Question 106: Why is it dangerous to touch live electric wires?
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The human body is a conductor of electricity. If we touch a live wire, electric current can pass through our body, causing severe injury or death (electric shock). This is why wires are insulated and we should never touch them with wet hands.
Question 107: Name the components required to make a simple circuit to glow a lamp.
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An electric cell (or battery), an incandescent lamp (or LED), a cell holder, a lamp holder, connecting electric wires, and optionally a switch.
Question 108: How can you make a simple switch using household materials?
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Fix two drawing pins on a cardboard piece. Connect a wire to each drawing pin. Attach a safety pin to one of the drawing pins so that its free end can touch or move away from the other drawing pin. When the safety pin touches both pins, the circuit is closed (ON); when it does not, the circuit is open (OFF).
Question 109: Why does a torch not glow when one of its cells is reversed?
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In a battery, the positive terminal of one cell must connect to the negative terminal of the next cell. If one cell is reversed, the correct terminal arrangement is broken and the battery does not provide sufficient energy, so the lamp does not glow.
Question 110: What caution should be taken while performing experiments with electricity?
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Never perform experiments with the power supply at home or school. Even electricity from portable generators can be dangerous. Use only batteries or cells, like those in torchlights, wall clocks, radios, or remotes, for experiments with electricity.
Question 111: What happens to the filament of an incandescent lamp when current passes through it?
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When electric current passes through the filament, it gets hot and glows to produce light. The filament is a thin wire supported by two thicker wires that form the terminals of the lamp.
Question 112: How do you identify the positive and negative terminals of an LED?
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An LED has two wires (terminals). The longer wire is the positive terminal, and the shorter wire is the negative terminal.
Question 113: What are the uses of electricity mentioned in the chapter? List any four.
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Electricity is used for: (i) Lighting (bulbs, lamps), (ii) Cooking (microwave, mixer, grinder), (iii) Transportation (trains, buses, cars), (iv) Heating and cooling (fan, heater, air conditioner), (v) Entertainment (TV, radio), (vi) Communication (mobile phones, internet).
Question 114: What is the role of a cell holder in a circuit?
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A cell holder holds the electric cell securely in the circuit and ensures proper contact between the cell's terminals and the connecting wires. If a cell holder is not available, wires can be fixed to the cell using electrical tape.
Question 115: Name three sources of electricity generation mentioned in the chapter.
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(i) Falling water (hydroelectric power, e.g., Bhakra Nangal Dam), (ii) Wind energy (windmills), (iii) Solar energy (solar panels). Other sources include natural gas and coal.
Question 116: Describe the structure of an incandescent lamp. How does it produce light?
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Introduction: An incandescent lamp is a common source of light that works by heating a thin wire inside a glass bulb until it glows.
Key Points:
1. Filament structure — A thin wire called the filament is fixed inside the glass bulb and is supported by two thicker wires that act as terminals.
2. Two terminals — One thick wire connects to the metal case at the base and the other to the metal tip at the centre, forming two terminals that do not touch each other.
3. Light production — When electric current passes through the filament, it gets hot and glows, producing light in the incandescent lamp. Conclusion: The incandescent lamp produces light when electric current heats its filament to a high temperature, causing it to glow visibly inside the glass bulb.
Question 117: Explain the construction and working of an LED. How does it differ from an incandescent lamp?
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Introduction: An LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a modern type of lamp that produces light without a filament and is commonly used in torchlights.
Key Points:
1. LED construction — An LED has two terminals — a longer positive wire and a shorter negative wire — and does not contain any filament inside it.
2. LED working — An LED glows only when its positive terminal connects to the positive terminal of the battery and the negative to the negative, allowing current in one direction only.
3. Difference from incandescent — Unlike incandescent lamps which have a filament that gets hot, LEDs have no filament and allow current to flow in only one direction. Conclusion: LEDs differ from incandescent lamps as they lack a filament, work in one direction only, and are more energy-efficient modern lighting devices.
Question 118: What is an electrical circuit? Explain the conditions necessary for a lamp to glow in a circuit.
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Introduction: An electrical circuit is a complete path through which electric current flows from the cell to the lamp and back.
Key Points:
1. Circuit defined — An electrical circuit provides a complete, unbroken path for electric current to flow through the lamp from the electric cell or battery.
2. Complete path — One terminal of the lamp must connect to one terminal of the cell and the other lamp terminal to the other cell terminal.
3. Current flow needed — The lamp glows only when the circuit is complete and current passes through the filament of the lamp without any break. Conclusion: For a lamp to glow, the circuit must be complete with proper connections allowing electric current to flow continuously through the lamp's filament.
Question 119: Describe how a simple switch can be made and how it works.
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Introduction: A switch is a simple device that either completes or breaks an electrical circuit, and it can be easily made using common materials.
Key Points:
1. Materials needed — To make a simple switch, collect two drawing pins, a safety pin, two wires, and a small piece of cardboard.
2. Construction — Fix a drawing pin through the safety pin's ring onto the cardboard, fix a second drawing pin nearby, and connect a wire to each pin.
3. Working principle — When the safety pin touches both drawing pins, the circuit is closed (ON) and current flows; when it does not, the circuit is open (OFF). Conclusion: A simple switch works by using a safety pin to either complete or break the circuit path, controlling the flow of electric current to the lamp.
Question 120: Differentiate between conductors and insulators. Explain why wires are made of metal but coated with plastic.
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Introduction: Materials can be classified as conductors or insulators based on whether they allow electric current to pass through them easily.
Key Points:
1. Conductors — Conductors are materials like copper and aluminium that allow electric current to flow through them easily, making the lamp glow in a circuit.
2. Insulators — Insulators are materials like plastic, rubber, and glass that do not allow electric current to pass through them, preventing the lamp from glowing.
3. Wires with coating — Wires are made of metal (conductor) to carry current but coated with plastic (insulator) to protect people from electric shocks. Conclusion: Conductors allow current flow while insulators block it; wires combine both by using metal inside for conduction and plastic coating for safety.
Question 121: Explain the activity to test whether a material is a conductor or an insulator using a simple circuit.
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Introduction: A conduction tester can be used to determine whether a material is a conductor or an insulator by observing if the lamp glows.
Key Points:
1. Making the tester — Connect an electric cell and a lamp with wires, leaving the two free ends of the wires open to form a conduction tester.
2. Testing materials — Touch the free ends of the tester wires to both ends of objects like metal spoons, rubber, glass, and coins one by one.
3. Observation and conclusion — If the lamp glows, the material is a conductor; if it does not glow, the material is an insulator of electricity. Conclusion: This simple tester activity helps classify materials as conductors or insulators based on whether the lamp glows when the material is connected in the circuit.
Question 122: Why is copper preferred over silver for making electrical wires, even though silver is a better conductor?
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Introduction: Although silver, copper, and gold are the best electrical conductors, copper is the most commonly used metal for making electrical wires.
Key Points:
1. Silver is costly — Silver is a better conductor than copper but is very expensive, making it impractical for large-scale use in electrical wiring.
2. Copper is affordable — Copper has a comparatively lower cost and is available in abundant supply, making it economical for widespread use.
3. Good conductivity — Copper is still an excellent conductor of electricity, providing good performance at a much lower cost than silver for wiring purposes. Conclusion: Copper is preferred over silver for electrical wires because it offers good conductivity at a much lower cost and is abundantly available.
Question 123: Describe the activity of making an incandescent lamp glow using an electric cell. List the materials needed.
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Introduction: An incandescent lamp can be made to glow by connecting it properly to an electric cell using wires to form a complete circuit.
Key Points:
1. Materials needed — The materials required are an electric cell, an incandescent torch lamp, a cell holder, a lamp holder, and four lengths of electric wire.
2. Preparation of wires — Remove about 1 cm of plastic covering from both ends of each wire to expose the metal for making proper electrical connections.
3. Making connections — Connect the cell holder and lamp holder with wires, then connect the lamp's two terminals to the cell's two terminals to complete the circuit. Conclusion: When the lamp and cell are correctly connected with wires forming a complete circuit, the lamp glows as electric current passes through the filament.
Question 124: What is a circuit diagram? Why are standard symbols used? Name the symbols for a cell, battery, lamp, and switch.
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Introduction: A circuit diagram is a simplified representation of an electrical circuit using standard symbols for each component.
Key Points:
1. Circuit diagram defined — A circuit diagram is a representation of an electrical circuit using standard symbols instead of detailed drawings of components.
2. Why symbols are used — Standard symbols make it easier to draw and understand circuits, and using the same symbols worldwide helps people communicate across countries and industries.
3. Key symbols — A cell is a long and short line, a battery is multiple cells together, a lamp is a circle with a cross, and a switch has specific ON and OFF symbols. Conclusion: Circuit diagrams use standardised symbols for cells, batteries, lamps, and switches to provide a simple, universal way to represent electrical circuits.
Question 125: Explain the working of a torchlight. What happens when the switch is slid to different positions?
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Introduction: A torchlight is a portable device that uses electric cells, a lamp, and a switch to produce light when needed.
Key Points:
1. Components of a torch — A torchlight contains electric cells forming a battery, a lamp (incandescent or LED), a switch, and connecting metal strips inside.
2. Switch in ON position — When the switch is slid to one position, it completes the circuit, current flows, and the torch lamp glows brightly.
3. Switch in OFF position — When the switch is slid back, it breaks the circuit, stopping the current flow so the torch lamp does not glow. Conclusion: The torchlight works by using a switch to either complete or break the electrical circuit, thereby turning the lamp on or off as needed.
Question 126: List the various ways electricity is generated. How does it reach our homes?
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Introduction: Electricity is generated in multiple ways using different natural resources and then distributed to homes and factories through wires.
Key Points:
1. Methods of generation — Electricity is generated by windmills using wind energy, solar panels using the Sun's energy, falling water in dams, and by using natural gas or coal.
2. Power plants — Large power plants generate electricity from these sources and send it through a network of transmission wires across cities and towns.
3. Reaching homes — The electric supply from power stations reaches our homes and factories via wires connected to electrical sockets in the walls of buildings. Conclusion: Electricity is generated through various natural sources like wind, solar, water, and coal, and then travels through wires to reach our homes and factories.
Question 127: How do you connect an LED in a circuit so that it glows? What precautions must be taken?
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Introduction: An LED needs to be connected correctly in a circuit for it to glow, as it allows current to flow in only one direction.
Key Points:
1. Correct connection — Connect the longer wire (positive terminal) of the LED to the positive terminal of the battery for proper current flow.
2. Negative terminal — Connect the shorter wire (negative terminal) of the LED to the negative terminal of the battery to complete the circuit.
3. Precautions — Never interchange the LED connections as it will not glow; always ensure the correct polarity and use only cells or batteries, never the mains supply. Conclusion: An LED glows only when connected with correct polarity — positive to positive and negative to negative — and care must be taken to never reverse the connections.
Question 128: Explain why the lamp does not glow when cells in a torch are placed incorrectly. How should they be arranged?
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Introduction: In a torch, the cells must be placed in a specific order for the lamp to glow; incorrect arrangement prevents the circuit from working.
Key Points:
1. Correct arrangement — The positive terminal of one cell should connect to the negative terminal of the next cell, forming a proper battery arrangement.
2. Why lamp does not glow — When cells are placed incorrectly or one cell is reversed, the circuit does not provide proper current flow, so the lamp fails to glow.
3. Battery formation — This correct arrangement of two or more cells with alternating positive and negative terminals is called a battery, which powers the torch. Conclusion: Cells in a torch must be arranged with positive connected to negative terminals to form a battery; any incorrect placement prevents the lamp from glowing.
Question 129: What are the different types of electric wires used? Why are wires coated with different materials?
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Introduction: Different types of electric wires are used for different purposes, with coatings chosen based on the specific application and safety requirements.
Key Points:
1. Types of wires — Different types of electrical wires are used for different purposes, varying in thickness, number of internal metal strands, and coating materials.
2. Metal inside wires — The inside of wires is made of metal conductors like copper, which allows electric current to flow through them easily and efficiently.
3. Insulating coating — Wires are coated with insulating materials like plastic, rubber, or ceramics to protect people from electric shocks and prevent short circuits. Conclusion: Electric wires use metal conductors inside for current flow and are coated with insulating materials like plastic or rubber to ensure safety from electric shocks.
Question 130: Describe the school trip to Bhakra Nangal Dam mentioned in the chapter. What did the students learn?
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Introduction: Nihal and his classmates went on a school trip to the Bhakra Nangal Dam to learn about electricity generation from water.
Key Points:
1. Visit to dam — Students visited the Bhakra Nangal Dam's hydroelectric power house where the force of falling water is used to generate electricity.
2. Train ride experience — They enjoyed a free 13-kilometre train ride from Nangal in Punjab to Bhakra in Himachal Pradesh along the beautiful Sutlej river.
3. Assignment learning — Before the trip, students prepared a presentation on the uses of electricity by exploring their homes, school, neighbourhood, and the internet. Conclusion: The trip to Bhakra Nangal Dam taught students how falling water generates electricity and helped them appreciate the many uses of electricity in daily life.
Question 131: Ria made a circuit with a cell, an incandescent lamp, wires, and a switch. She noticed that when she slid the switch to one position, the lamp glowed, and when she slid it back, the lamp turned off.
(a) What are the two positions of the switch called?
(b) What happens to the circuit in each position?
(c) Why does the lamp glow only in one position?
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(a) The two positions are called ON (closed) and OFF (open). (b) In the ON position, the switch completes the circuit, allowing current to flow. In the OFF position, the switch breaks the circuit, creating a gap that prevents current flow. (c) The lamp glows only when the circuit is closed (ON) because only then does electric current pass through the filament of the lamp, heating it and making it glow. When the circuit is open (OFF), no current flows and the lamp does not glow.
Question 132: Aman wanted to test whether different materials conduct electricity. He set up a circuit with a cell, a lamp, and wires with a gap. He placed different materials one by one in the gap and observed whether the lamp glowed.
(a) What will happen when Aman places a copper wire in the gap?
(b) What will happen when he places a rubber eraser in the gap?
(c) What conclusion can Aman draw from this activity? Classify the materials as conductors or insulators.
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(a) The lamp will glow because copper is a good conductor of electricity, allowing current to flow through the circuit. (b) The lamp will not glow because rubber is an insulator and does not allow current to pass through. (c) Aman can conclude that some materials allow electric current to pass through them (conductors — like metals: copper, iron, aluminium) while others do not (insulators — like rubber, plastic, wood). Metals are conductors and are therefore used for making wires, while insulators are used for coating wires for safety.
Question 133: Priya set up a circuit with a battery (two cells), an LED, wires, and a switch. When she closed the switch, the LED did not glow. She then reversed the connections of the LED and tried again — the LED glowed.
(a) Why did the LED not glow the first time?
(b) Why did the LED glow after reversing the connections?
(c) Would an incandescent lamp have glowed in the first attempt? Why or why not?
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(a) The LED did not glow because its terminals were connected in the wrong direction — the LED's positive terminal was not connected to the battery's positive terminal. An LED allows current to flow in one direction only. (b) After reversing the connections, the LED's positive (longer wire) connected to the battery's positive terminal and its negative (shorter wire) to the negative terminal, allowing current to flow in the correct direction. (c) Yes, an incandescent lamp would have glown in the first attempt because it does not matter which terminal of an incandescent lamp connects to the positive or negative terminal of the cell — it glows as long as the circuit is complete.
Question 134: Karan opened his torch and found two cells inside. He took the cells out and put them back in a different order — both cells facing the same direction with positive terminals together. The torch lamp did not glow.
(a) How should the cells be arranged in a torch for the lamp to glow?
(b) What is this combination of cells called?
(c) Why did the lamp not glow when both cells were placed with positive terminals together?
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(a) The cells should be arranged so that the positive terminal of one cell is connected to the negative terminal of the next cell. (b) This combination of two or more cells is called a battery. (c) When both cells are placed with positive terminals together, the correct terminal arrangement (positive to negative) is broken. The battery does not provide energy in the proper direction, so the circuit is not effectively completed and current does not flow through the lamp, so it does not glow.
Question 135: A teacher asked students to draw a circuit diagram containing a cell, a lamp, and a switch connected by wires in a closed circuit.
(a) What is a circuit diagram and why are symbols used?
(b) Draw/describe the symbols for a cell and a lamp.
(c) How would the diagram change if the switch were in the OFF position?
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(a) A circuit diagram is a representation of an electrical circuit using standard symbols. Symbols are used because they make circuits easy to draw, understand, and communicate, and international bodies have standardised them for universal understanding. (b) Symbol for a cell: a long line (positive terminal) and a short thick line (negative terminal). Symbol for a lamp (incandescent): a circle with a cross inside it. (c) If the switch is in the OFF position, the symbol for the switch would show a gap (open switch) instead of a connected line (closed switch), indicating the circuit is open and no current flows.
Question 136: A student connected an electric cell, a lamp, and wires but forgot to include a switch. She found that the lamp glowed continuously and she could not turn it off without disconnecting a wire.
(a) What is the function of a switch in a circuit?
(b) Where can a switch be placed in a circuit?
(c) How would adding a switch solve the student's problem?
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(a) A switch is a simple device that either completes (closes) or breaks (opens) a circuit, controlling the flow of current. (b) A switch can be placed anywhere in a circuit. (c) Adding a switch would allow the student to control the lamp by opening (turning off) or closing (turning on) the circuit without disconnecting wires. When the switch is OFF (open), the circuit breaks and the lamp turns off; when ON (closed), the circuit is complete and the lamp glows.
Question 137: In a science exhibition, a group displayed a model showing electricity generation from falling water. They explained how the Bhakra Nangal Dam generates electricity.
(a) What source of energy is used to generate electricity at the Bhakra Nangal Dam?
(b) Name two other sources of electricity generation.
(c) How does the electricity from power stations reach our homes?
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(a) The energy of falling water (hydroelectric power) is used to generate electricity at the Bhakra Nangal Dam on the Sutlej river. (b) Other sources include: wind energy (windmills) and solar energy (solar panels). Natural gas and coal are also used. (c) The electric supply from power-generating stations reaches our homes and factories via wires. At home, we plug various devices into electrical sockets in the wall to access electricity.
Question 138: Meera noticed that the wires in her house are made of copper but coated with plastic. She wondered why both materials were used.
(a) Why is copper used inside the wires?
(b) Why is the outer coating of plastic necessary?
(c) What would happen if the plastic coating was damaged and someone touched the exposed copper wire?
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(a) Copper is used inside wires because it is a good conductor of electricity, allowing current to flow easily. It is also comparatively cheaper and available in abundant supply. (b) The plastic coating is necessary because plastic is an insulator — it prevents the electric current from escaping the wire and protects people from electric shock. (c) If the plastic coating is damaged and someone touches the exposed copper wire, they could get an electric shock because the human body is a conductor of electricity. Current could pass through the body, causing injury or even death.
Question 139: A student was given a cell, an incandescent lamp, an LED, wires, and a switch. She connected the incandescent lamp first, and it glowed. Then she replaced it with the LED, and it did not glow.
(a) Why did the incandescent lamp glow but the LED did not?
(b) What should the student do to make the LED glow?
(c) State one key difference between an incandescent lamp and an LED.
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(a) The incandescent lamp glowed because it works regardless of which terminal connects to the positive or negative terminal of the cell. The LED did not glow because its terminals were likely connected in the wrong direction — an LED requires correct polarity to glow. (b) The student should reverse the connections of the LED so that its longer wire (positive terminal) connects to the positive terminal of the cell and its shorter wire (negative terminal) to the negative terminal. (c) Key difference: An incandescent lamp has a filament and glows regardless of terminal connection, while an LED has no filament and glows only when connected in the correct polarity (current flows in one direction only).
Question 140: During an experiment, a student used a cell, a lamp, a switch, and wires to build a circuit. When the switch was closed, the lamp glowed brightly. Then the student added another cell in the correct battery arrangement.
(a) What is the correct arrangement for connecting two cells as a battery?
(b) What effect does adding another cell have on the lamp?
(c) What safety precaution should the student follow during the experiment?
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(a) The positive terminal of one cell should be connected to the negative terminal of the next cell to form a battery. (b) Adding another cell provides more energy to the circuit. The lamp would glow brighter (or for a longer time) because a battery with more cells supplies more energy than a single cell. (c) The student should use only batteries or cells (like those in torchlights, wall clocks, radios, or remotes) for experiments. They should never perform experiments with the home or school power supply, as electricity can be dangerous if not carefully handled.
Question 141: Describe the components of a torchlight. Explain how each component works together to make the lamp glow.
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Introduction: A torchlight is a portable device made up of several components that work together to produce light when the switch is turned on.
Key Points:
1. Electric cells — The torch contains two or more electric cells connected as a battery, which serves as the portable source of electrical energy for the lamp.
2. Electric lamp — The torch has either an incandescent lamp with a filament or an LED lamp that produces light when current passes through it.
3. Switch mechanism — The switch either completes or breaks the circuit; when slid to ON, it closes the path for current and the lamp glows.
4. Metal connectors — Metal strips and wires inside the torch connect the cells, switch, and lamp, forming a complete path for the electric current to flow.
5. Battery arrangement — The cells are arranged with the positive terminal of one connected to the negative of the next, forming a battery that powers the lamp. Conclusion: In a torchlight, the cells provide energy, the lamp produces light, the switch controls the circuit, and metal connectors complete the path — all working together to make the lamp glow.
Question 142: Explain in detail the structure and working of both incandescent lamps and LEDs. How do they differ?
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Introduction: Incandescent lamps and LEDs are two different types of electric lamps used in torchlights and other devices, each with distinct structures and working principles.
Key Points:
1. Incandescent structure — An incandescent lamp has a thin filament inside a glass bulb, supported by two thick wires connected to a metal case and metal tip as terminals.
2. Incandescent working — When current passes through the filament, it gets hot and glows to produce light; the filament works regardless of current direction.
3. LED structure — An LED has no filament and has two terminals — a longer positive wire and a shorter negative wire — in a compact housing.
4. LED working — An LED glows only when the positive terminal connects to the positive of the battery and negative to negative, allowing current in one direction only.
5. Key differences — Incandescent lamps have filaments that heat up and work either direction, while LEDs have no filament and allow current in only one direction. Conclusion: Incandescent lamps use a hot filament and work in both directions, while LEDs have no filament, are directional, and represent more modern, efficient lighting technology.
Question 143: What is an electrical circuit? Explain the direction of current flow. Describe the role of each component in a simple circuit.
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Introduction: An electrical circuit is a complete path that allows electric current to flow from a cell through components and back, enabling devices to work.
Key Points:
1. Circuit defined — An electrical circuit is formed when the terminals of a lamp are connected to the terminals of an electric cell using wires, providing a complete path for current.
2. Direction of current — The direction of electric current in a circuit is taken to be from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the electric cell.
3. Role of the cell — The electric cell is the source of electrical energy that drives the current through the circuit and powers the connected components.
4. Role of wires — Wires made of conducting metals like copper carry the electric current from the cell to the lamp and back, completing the circuit path.
5. Role of the lamp — The lamp contains a filament that glows when current passes through it, converting electrical energy into light energy. Conclusion: In an electrical circuit, the cell provides energy, wires carry current from positive to negative terminal, and the lamp converts this electrical energy into light.
Question 144: Differentiate between conductors and insulators. Explain the activity to identify them. Why is this knowledge important in daily life?
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Introduction: Conductors and insulators are two categories of materials based on their ability to allow electric current to pass through them, and this distinction is very important.
Key Points:
1. Conductors defined — Conductors are materials like metals (copper, aluminium, iron) that allow electric current to flow through them easily, making a lamp glow.
2. Insulators defined — Insulators are materials like plastic, rubber, glass, and wood that do not allow electric current to pass through them, preventing the lamp from glowing.
3. Identification activity — A conduction tester with a cell and lamp is used; touching the free wire ends to a material makes the lamp glow for conductors but not for insulators.
4. Importance in daily life — Knowing conductors and insulators helps in making safe electrical tools; wires use metal conductors inside and insulating coatings outside for safety.
5. Safety applications — Electricians use rubber gloves and plastic-handled screwdrivers (insulators) to protect themselves from electric shocks while working with electrical systems. Conclusion: Understanding conductors and insulators is essential for safe electrical design — metals conduct current while insulators like rubber and plastic protect us from dangerous shocks.
Question 145: Describe how to construct a simple circuit to make a lamp glow. Include all materials, steps, and safety precautions.
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Introduction: A simple electrical circuit can be constructed using basic materials to make an incandescent lamp glow when connected properly to a cell.
Key Points:
1. Materials needed — Collect an electric cell, an incandescent lamp, a cell holder, a lamp holder, and four lengths of electric wire for the circuit.
2. Wire preparation — Remove about 1 cm of the plastic covering from both ends of each wire to expose the metal so proper connections can be made.
3. Connecting the cell — Attach two wires to the cell holder, insert the cell with its negative terminal towards the spring side, or tape wires directly to the cell.
4. Connecting the lamp — Attach two wires to the lamp holder screws, fix the lamp in the holder, or tape wires to the two terminals of the lamp directly.
5. Completing the circuit and precautions — Connect the cell wires to the lamp wires; the lamp glows if connections are correct; always use only cells or batteries and never the mains supply. Conclusion: By following these steps with proper materials and safety precautions, a simple circuit can be constructed to successfully make a lamp glow using an electric cell.
Question 146: Explain the importance of circuit diagrams. Describe the standard symbols used for common circuit components and draw/describe a simple circuit.
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Introduction: Circuit diagrams are simplified representations of electrical circuits that use standard symbols, making them easy to draw, read, and understand universally.
Key Points:
1. Importance of circuit diagrams — Circuit diagrams make it easier to draw and understand electrical circuits by using simple symbols instead of detailed component drawings.
2. Cell symbol — An electric cell is represented by a long line (positive terminal) and a short thick line (negative terminal) placed parallel to each other.
3. Battery and lamp symbols — A battery is shown as multiple cells connected together; a lamp is represented by a circle with a cross inside it.
4. Switch and wire symbols — A switch has separate symbols for ON (closed) and OFF (open) positions; a wire is represented by a simple straight line.
5. Simple circuit description — A simple circuit diagram shows a cell connected to a lamp by wires with a switch in between, representing a complete path for current flow. Conclusion: Circuit diagrams use standardised symbols for cells, batteries, lamps, switches, and wires to provide a clear, universal way to represent and understand electrical circuits.
Question 147: Describe the various sources of electricity generation and the uses of electricity in daily life.
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Introduction: Electricity is generated from various natural sources and has countless applications in our daily life, making it one of the most important forms of energy.
Key Points:
1. Wind energy — Windmills use the force of wind to rotate turbines that generate electricity without producing any pollution or waste.
2. Solar and water — Solar panels capture the Sun's energy to generate electricity, and hydroelectric power stations use the force of falling water from dams.
3. Coal and gas — Electricity is also generated by burning fossil fuels like natural gas and coal in thermal power plants to produce steam that drives turbines.
4. Uses — cooking and lighting — Electricity is used for cooking with electric kettles, mixers, and microwaves, and for lighting homes, offices, streets, and factories.
5. Other uses — Electricity powers transportation (trains, electric cars), communication (phones, internet), and heating/cooling devices like fans, heaters, and refrigerators. Conclusion: Electricity generated from wind, solar, water, coal, and gas powers countless devices used for cooking, lighting, transportation, communication, and comfort in daily life.
Question 148: Explain the role of a switch in an electrical circuit. Describe how to make a simple switch and discuss its importance in daily life.
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Introduction: A switch is a simple but important device in an electrical circuit that controls the flow of electric current by completing or breaking the circuit.
Key Points:
1. Role of a switch — A switch is a device that either completes or breaks a circuit, allowing us to control when current flows and when it stops.
2. Making a simple switch — Fix a drawing pin through a safety pin's ring on cardboard, place a second drawing pin nearby, and connect a wire to each pin.
3. ON and OFF positions — When the safety pin touches both drawing pins, the circuit is closed (ON) and current flows; when it does not, the circuit is open (OFF).
4. Placement flexibility — A switch can be placed anywhere in a circuit and still control the flow of current through the entire circuit path.
5. Importance in daily life — Switches at home let us turn lights, fans, and appliances on and off as needed, saving energy and providing convenience and safety. Conclusion: Switches are essential components that give us control over electricity by opening or closing circuits, making them indispensable for safe and convenient use of electrical devices daily.
Question 149: What is a battery? How is it different from a single cell? Explain the correct way to connect cells in a battery and why incorrect arrangement prevents the lamp from glowing.
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Introduction: A battery is a combination of two or more electric cells connected together in a specific arrangement to provide more energy to a circuit.
Key Points:
1. Battery defined — A battery is a combination of two or more electric cells connected together, providing energy to the circuit for a longer time and/or more energy.
2. Difference from a single cell — A single cell provides a limited amount of energy, while a battery of multiple cells provides more energy and powers devices for a longer duration.
3. Correct connection — Cells must be connected with the positive terminal of one cell connected to the negative terminal of the next cell in sequence.
4. Incorrect arrangement — If cells are placed in the wrong order or one cell is reversed, the current does not flow properly and the lamp fails to glow.
5. Terminal identification — The terminal of the battery holder connected to the positive terminal of one end cell is the battery's positive, and the other end is its negative. Conclusion: A battery combines multiple cells connected positive-to-negative for more energy; incorrect arrangement disrupts current flow and prevents the lamp from glowing in the circuit.
Question 150: Discuss the safety measures to be followed while handling electricity. Why is it important to use only cells or batteries for experiments?
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Introduction: Electricity is very useful but can be extremely dangerous if not handled carefully, so following safety measures is essential to prevent accidents.
Key Points:
1. Use only cells or batteries — Experiments must be conducted only with cells or batteries found in torchlights, clocks, and remotes, never with the home power supply.
2. Avoid wet hands — Never touch switches or plugs with wet hands, and never use electrical devices in wet areas, as water conducts electricity and can cause shocks.
3. Check insulation — Always check that wires are not damaged, plugs are not broken, and insulation is intact before using any electrical device or appliance.
4. Body is a conductor — Our body is a conductor of electricity; electric current passing through the body can cause severe injury or even death.
5. Caution with generators — Even electricity from portable generators can be dangerous, so only trained professionals should handle mains electrical supply and power lines. Conclusion: Electrical safety requires using only cells or batteries for experiments, avoiding wet conditions, checking insulation, and understanding that the human body conducts electricity — precautions that prevent serious injury or death.
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