Electric Current

These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

• Define current as a flow (of ‘electricity’) around a complete circuit that is measured with an ammeter.
• Recognise that current is the same at each point around a simple series circuit because it is not ‘used up’ when it goes through a component.
• Describe the flow of current from one end of the battery, through a circuit and back to the other end of the battery.
• Explain why every part of a circuit starts working immediately that the circuit is turned on, using the idea that electric charges are already distributed throughout the whole circuit.       
• Explain how different components added anywhere in a circuit affects the current everywhere in the circuit, with batteries pushing harder and resistive components opposing more.

The resources include details of common misconceptions and a summary of the research upon which the resources are based.

Download the zip file for all the questions and activities.

More resources like this can be found on the BEST webpage:  Best Evidence in Science Teaching