Current, voltage, and what they measure
CONCEPTUALUnderstand that electric current is the rate of flow of charge (measured in amperes using an ammeter), and that potential difference (voltage) is the energy transferred per unit charge (measured in volts using a voltmeter)
Mastery Evidence
- States that current is measured in amperes (A) and is the rate at which charge flows around a circuit
- States that potential difference (voltage) is measured in volts (V) and represents energy transferred per unit charge
- Correctly connects an ammeter in series and a voltmeter in parallel when building or interpreting a circuit
Assessment Prompt
“If [child] sets up a circuit with an ammeter and a voltmeter, can they explain what each one is measuring and describe the difference between current and voltage?”
Curriculum Standards1 alignment
MS-PS2-3Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle Schoolcodes onlyPrerequisites3
- Circuit vocabularyhardAges 9—11
- Drawing circuits with proper symbolshardAges 10—11
- More batteries, brighter bulbhardAges 10—11
Show full prerequisite tree
- Circuit vocabulary hard
Understanding current as charge flow and voltage as energy per charge requires these exact technical terms
- Drawing circuits with proper symbols hard
Understanding current and voltage as quantities requires the ability to read circuit diagrams with standard symbols, established at KS2
- Why circuit components behave differently soft
Understanding component variations supports interpreting and drawing circuit diagrams
- Circuit vocabulary hard
Comparing circuit component function requires component vocabulary: bulb, buzzer, switch, resistance
- More batteries, brighter bulb hard
Must understand voltage-brightness relationship before comparing component variations
- Will the bulb light up? hard
Must understand complete loops before understanding how switches open/close them
- Circuit vocabulary hard
Associating brightness with voltage requires 'voltage', 'current', and 'series circuit' vocabulary
- How energy travels around soft
Energy transfer concept supports understanding voltage as energy per charge
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
Observing that objects need illumination to be seen requires the 'light source' vocabulary
- Naming types of energy hard
Describing energy transfer by sound, light, heat, and electric current requires energy type vocabulary
- Building a simple circuit hard
Must know circuits before understanding energy transfer by electric current
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
Understanding vibrating materials and sound requires 'vibration' vocabulary
- Communication with Light & Sound hard
Must understand how sound works before designing a communication device using it
- Light & Seeing in the Dark hard
Must understand how light works before designing a communication device using it
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
Observing that objects need illumination to be seen requires the 'light source' vocabulary
- More batteries, brighter bulb hard
Must understand circuit behaviour before representing circuits with formal symbols
- Will the bulb light up? hard
Must understand complete loops before understanding how switches open/close them
- Circuit vocabulary hard
Associating brightness with voltage requires 'voltage', 'current', and 'series circuit' vocabulary
- How energy travels around soft
Energy transfer concept supports understanding voltage as energy per charge
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
Observing that objects need illumination to be seen requires the 'light source' vocabulary
- Naming types of energy hard
Describing energy transfer by sound, light, heat, and electric current requires energy type vocabulary
- Building a simple circuit hard
Must know circuits before understanding energy transfer by electric current
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
Understanding vibrating materials and sound requires 'vibration' vocabulary
- Communication with Light & Sound hard
Must understand how sound works before designing a communication device using it
- Light & Seeing in the Dark hard
Must understand how light works before designing a communication device using it
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
Observing that objects need illumination to be seen requires the 'light source' vocabulary
- More batteries, brighter bulb hard
KS2 observation that more cells gives brighter bulbs is the empirical foundation for defining voltage as energy per charge
- Will the bulb light up? hard
Must understand complete loops before understanding how switches open/close them
- Circuit vocabulary hard
Associating brightness with voltage requires 'voltage', 'current', and 'series circuit' vocabulary
- How energy travels around soft
Energy transfer concept supports understanding voltage as energy per charge
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
Observing that objects need illumination to be seen requires the 'light source' vocabulary
- Naming types of energy hard
Describing energy transfer by sound, light, heat, and electric current requires energy type vocabulary
- Building a simple circuit hard
Must know circuits before understanding energy transfer by electric current
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
Understanding vibrating materials and sound requires 'vibration' vocabulary
- Communication with Light & Sound hard
Must understand how sound works before designing a communication device using it
- Light & Seeing in the Dark hard
Must understand how light works before designing a communication device using it
- Light & Sound Vocabulary hard
Observing that objects need illumination to be seen requires the 'light source' vocabulary
Unlocks3
- ElectromagnetshardAges 12—13
- Static electricity and sparkssoftAges 11—12
- Ohm's Law: voltage, current, resistancehardAges 12—13