We work through a number of boards, building knowledge as we go, ending with you will have a good idea how so many electrical gadgets work! It is suggested that you work through this section before the ones on Electronic Components and Green Energy.
Maths expectations:
Circuit Basics
This board contains a very simple circuit, but it's important we understand what makes up a circuit before be move on to more complex ones.
Explained: circuit, conductor, load, supply, switch.
Cur. Ref: SCN 1-09a
Switches
On this board we can see working examples of different types of switches used on the other boards and commonly used in electrical applications.
Explained: rotary switch, toggle switch, button switch, serial connections, parrallel connections,
2-way switches, crossover switches.
Cur. Ref: SCN 2-09a
Switch Practical
Here we can use the board with banana leads to try out different switch types, combinations and wiring options.
Explained: banana leads, banana sockets, rocker switch, single pole, double pole, single throw, double throw.
Cur. Ref: SCN 2-09a
Measuring Electricity
Here we introduce voltage and current and the units of volts and amps.
Explained: current, amps, electrical pressure, volts, voltage, watts, power.
Cur. Ref: SCN 3-09a
Parallel & Serial Connections
This board expands our understanding of voltage and current by see how they are affected by multiple devices connected in parallel and in series.
Explained: serial connections, parallel connections.
Cur. Ref: SCN 3-09a
Conductors
This board contains 9 different types of material, each of which can be included in a circuit to see how well electricity can flow through them.
Explained: good/poor conductors, insulators, resistance.
Cur. Ref: SCN 4-09a
Magnetism
Two board here, both starting to look at the very strange world of magnets and their forces of attraction and repulsion.
Explained: magnetic field, magnetic poles, attraction force.
Cur. Ref: SCN 1-08a
ElectromagnetismNow we introduce electromagnetism - the main subject of this whole section and we see how electricity and magnetism are linked.
Explained: coil, iron filings, electromagnetism, repulsive force.
Cur. Ref: SCN 4-08a
Trembler Bells & Relays
There are two practical uses of electromagnetism on this board, one is fun (the trembler bell) and the other rather boring (the relay).
Explained: relay switch, trembler bell.
Cur. Ref: SCN 4-08a
Electromagentic Forces
Now we look at the forces we get in a coil of wire when it's in a magnetic field.
Explained: electromagentic force, magnetic force, magnetic fields.
Cur. Ref: SCN 4-08a
Electric Motors
Here we talk about how electric motors use electromagnetism.
Explained: electric motor, brushes, 2 pole, 3 pole.
Creating Electricity
Now we turn everything around and see what happens when we move a coil in a magnetic field.
Explained: electromagnetic induction, microamp.