Electrical Circuits Practical Worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s go through each circuit one by one and answer the questions clearly.

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Circuit A (yellow circle):

- Is this circuit complete? → Yes, there are no breaks — wires connect battery to bulb in a loop.
- Does the bulb work? → Yes, because it’s a complete circuit with power source and load.
- Why is it not practical? → There’s no switch! You can’t turn it off without disconnecting wires. Not safe or convenient.
- How many cells are there in the battery? → The symbol shows 2 long lines and 1 short line — that means 2 cells (each cell = one long + one short line; here, two long lines mean two positive ends, so 2 cells).

Wait — let me double-check: In standard battery symbols, each “cell” is represented by one long line (positive) and one short line (negative). If you see two long lines and one short line together, that usually means two cells connected in series — so yes, 2 cells.

✔ Confirmed: 2 cells.

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Circuit B (pink circle):

- How many wires did you use for this? → Let’s count segments: from battery (+) to switch, switch to bulb, bulb to battery (-). That’s 3 wire segments. But sometimes people count continuous paths — actually, looking at the diagram: it’s drawn as 4 straight wire parts? Wait — better to think visually:

Actually, in simple diagrams like this, we count the number of separate wire *pieces* shown. From battery top to switch: 1 piece. Switch to bulb: 1 piece. Bulb to battery bottom: 1 piece. And then back up? No — it’s a rectangle. So actually, 4 sides? But the battery and components break it.

Better way: trace the path. Start at battery positive → wire to switch → wire to bulb → wire to battery negative. That’s 3 wire connections. But the drawing may show 4 lines? Hmm.

Actually, in most school contexts, they expect you to count the visible wire segments between components. Looking again:

Battery → switch (1), switch → bulb (2), bulb → battery (3). So 3 wires? But wait — the battery itself has two terminals, and the bulb has two, switch has two — so total connection points: 6, but wires link them.

Standard answer for such diagrams: if it's a rectangular loop with 3 components (battery, switch, bulb), there are typically 4 wire segments — because each side of the rectangle is a wire, even if interrupted by component.

But let’s look carefully: In Circuit B, the battery is on top, switch on left, bulb on bottom. So:

Top: battery (not counted as wire)
Left: switch (component)
Bottom: bulb (component)
Right: just wire? Actually, no — right side connects battery negative to bulb? Wait, diagram shows:

Battery (top horizontal) → left vertical down to switch → bottom horizontal to bulb → right vertical up to battery negative.

So wires are: left vertical, bottom horizontal, right vertical → that’s 3 wire pieces. Top is battery, not wire.

BUT — some teachers count every straight line segment as a "wire", including those touching components. To be safe, let’s say: 3 wires — since only 3 actual wire runs connect the components.

However, I recall common textbook answers often say “4 wires” for a square circuit with 3 components — because they count each side of the rectangle. Let me check logic:

If you build this physically, you’d need:

- Wire from battery+ to switch
- Wire from switch to bulb
- Wire from bulb to battery–
That’s 3 wires.

The fourth “side” is occupied by the battery — which isn’t a wire.

So correct answer: 3 wires

But wait — maybe the question means “how many wire segments are drawn?” In the image, likely 4 lines forming a rectangle, with components placed on 3 sides. So perhaps 4?

I think safest is to go with what makes sense electrically: 3 connecting wires.

Actually, let’s reframe: in circuit diagrams, when they ask “how many wires”, they usually mean how many separate conductive paths are used to connect components — excluding the components themselves.

In Circuit B:
- One wire from battery to switch
- One wire from switch to bulb
- One wire from bulb to battery

→ 3 wires.

✔ Final decision: 3 wires.

Next:

- Is the circuit complete when the switch is open? → No. Open switch = break in circuit → incomplete.
- What happens to the bulb when the switch is closed? → Current flows → bulb lights up.

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Circuit C (green circle):

- What needs to happen for the bulb to work? → Both switches must be closed. Because they’re in series — current must pass through both to reach the bulb.

Check: Battery → first switch → second switch → bulb → back to battery. Yes, both switches must be ON (closed) for current to flow.

✔ Answer: Both switches need to be closed.

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Circuit D (orange circle):

- Name all the parts that make up this circuit...

Parts visible:

1. Battery (power source)
2. Two switches (one on left, one on top-right? Wait — looking: battery on top, then wire goes to orange circle (which is probably an ammeter or just a label?), then to motor (M), then to switch on left, then back to battery.

Wait — the orange circle labeled “D” is likely just identifying the circuit, not a component. The components are:

- Battery
- Switch (left side)
- Motor (labeled M)
- Wires
- Also, there’s another switch? Wait — looking again:

Diagram D: Battery on top. Right side: orange circle with “D” — probably just marker. Then wire goes down to motor (M). Then left to switch. Then up to battery negative.

Wait — actually, there are TWO switches? Let me parse:

From battery positive → wire → ? → motor → wire → switch → wire → battery negative.

But there’s also a switch on the left branch? Actually, looking closely:

It appears there is:

- Battery
- One switch on the left vertical wire
- One motor (M) on the bottom
- And... is there another switch? The orange circle might be hiding something? Or perhaps it’s just a label.

Actually, rereading: “Name all the parts that make up this circuit…”

Visible components:

1. Battery
2. Switch (on the left)
3. Motor (labeled M)
4. Wires (connecting everything)
5. Possibly the orange circle is part of the circuit? Unlikely — probably just a label for the circuit (like A, B, C, D).

Also, note: there is a second switch? Wait — in the diagram, after the motor, before going back to battery, there’s a switch on the left. But is there another switch near the battery? Doesn't appear so.

Wait — actually, looking again: from battery positive, wire goes right, then down past the orange “D” circle, then to motor, then left to a switch, then up to battery negative. So only ONE switch.

But hold on — in the original image description, Circuit D has: battery, then on the right side an orange circle with “D”, then below that a motor “M”, then on the left a switch, then back to battery.

So components:

- Battery
- Switch
- Motor
- Wires

Is that all? What about the orange circle? Probably not a component — just a label.

But wait — sometimes circles with letters indicate meters. Orange could be ammeter? But it’s labeled “D”, same as circuit identifier. Likely not.

To be thorough: if “D” is inside a circle on the wire, it might be intended as an ammeter (measuring current). In many worksheets, colored circles with letters represent ammeters or voltmeters.

Given that:

- Yellow A, Pink B, Green C, Orange D — these are likely labels for the circuits, NOT components.

Because in Circuit A, yellow circle is outside, same with others.

Therefore, components in Circuit D:

1. Battery
2. Switch
3. Motor (M)
4. Connecting wires

Some might include “wires” as a part, others might not. But typically, we list active/passive components.

Standard answer would be: battery, switch, motor, and wires.

But to match typical elementary level: list the named items.

Also, note: there is only one switch? Or two? Let me recount the diagram mentally:

Battery (top) — wire goes right → passes through orange “D” circle (probably just label) → down to motor (M) → left to switch → up to battery negative.

So only one switch.

But wait — in the user’s initial problem statement, for Circuit D, it says: “Name all the parts that make up this circuit...”

And in the diagram, besides battery, motor, switch, there might be implied wires.

Perhaps they want: battery, switch, motor, and wires.

Alternatively, if the orange circle is meant to be an ammeter, then include it.

Given ambiguity, but based on standard interpretation in such worksheets:

The orange circle with “D” is likely just labeling the circuit (like A, B, C, D), not a component.

Thus, parts are:

- Battery
- Switch
- Motor
- Wires

But to be precise, let’s see if any other component is present.

Another thought