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Electric current is a flow of electric charge. No current can flow if the circuit is broken - for example, when a switch is open. Click on the animation to see what happens to the charges when the switch is opened or closed:

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Two things are important for a circuit to work:

There must be a complete circuit

There must be no short circuits

To check for a complete circuit, follow a wire coming out of the battery with your finger. You should be able to go out of the battery, through the lamp, and back to the battery.

To check for a short circuit, see if you can find a way past the lamp without going through any other component. If you can, there is a short circuit and the lamp will not light.

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Electrical circuits can be represented by circuit diagrams. The various electrical components are shown by using standard symbols in circuit diagrams. Components can be connected in series, or in parallel. The characteristics of the current and potential difference (voltage) are different in series and parallel circuits.Circuit symbolsYou need to be able to draw and interpret circuit diagrams.Standard symbolsThe diagram below shows the standard circuit symbols you need to know. two horizontal lines with a gap where one line is at 45 degrees Open Switchtwo horizontal lines with a join in the centreClosed Switcha circle with an 'x' inside, attached to a horizontal line either sideLamptwo 't' shapes head to head, one with a thicker topCellthree t-shapes, the one on left  flipped to the right, the two on the right flipped 90 degrees to the left. the two on the right side have a thicker "top".Batterya circle with a 'V' in the centre. two horizontal lines come out from either side of the circle.Voltmetera rectangle lying flat with two horizontal lines coming out of its sidesResistora rectangle lying flat with one horizontal line running through the centre of it and out of both sidesFusea circle with an 'A' in the centre with two horizontal lines coming out of the sides of the circleAmmetera rectangle lying flat with an arrow running through it at a 45 degree angle. two horizontal lines run out of the sides of the rectangleVariable resistora rectangle lying flat with two horizontal lines running out either side of it. A 45 degree line runs through the rectangle which bends at the bottom to run parallel with the base of the rectangleThermistora rectangle lying flat with two horizontal lines running out of either side. a circle runs around the rectangle, and two arrows point downwards at the rectangle, from the top left.Light dependent resistor (LDR)Circuit symbol for LEDLight emitting diode (LED)Circuit symbol for diodeDiode

# data[].attributes.subject
Electrical circuits can be represented by circuit diagrams. The various electrical components are shown by using standard symbols in circuit diagrams. Components can be connected in series, or in parallel. The characteristics of the current and potential difference (voltage) are different in series and parallel circuits.Circuit symbolsYou need to be able to draw and interpret circuit diagrams.Standard symbolsThe diagram below shows the standard circuit symbols you need to know. two horizontal lines with a gap where one line is at 45 degrees Open Switchtwo horizontal lines with a join in the centreClosed Switcha circle with an 'x' inside, attached to a horizontal line either sideLamptwo 't' shapes head to head, one with a thicker topCellthree t-shapes, the one on left  flipped to the right, the two on the right flipped 90 degrees to the left. the two on the right side have a thicker "top".Batterya circle with a 'V' in the centre. two horizontal lines come out from either side of the circle.Voltmetera rectangle lying flat with two horizontal lines coming out of its sidesResistora rectangle lying flat with one horizontal line running through the centre of it and out of both sidesFusea circle with an 'A' in the centre with two horizontal lines coming out of the sides of the circleAmmetera rectangle lying flat with an arrow running through it at a 45 degree angle. two horizontal lines run out of the sides of the rectangleVariable resistora rectangle lying flat with two horizontal lines running out either side of it. A 45 degree line runs through the rectangle which bends at the bottom to run parallel with the base of the rectangleThermistora rectangle lying flat with two horizontal lines running out of either side. a circle runs around the rectangle, and two arrows point downwards at the rectangle, from the top left.Light dependent resistor (LDR)Circuit symbol for LEDLight emitting diode (LED)Circuit symbol for diodeDiode