Class VI Electricity and circuits Physics

1. If we connect the two terminals of cell without connecting them through a switch or a bulb then
the chemicals in the electric cell get used up very fast and the cell will no longer be charged and it
will stop producing electric current and it will stop working.

2. An electric cell has two terminals; positive and negative. The metal cap is the positive terminal and
metal disc is the negative terminal. The electric cell has two terminals because the two terminals
can be connected to form an electric circuit.

3. No, the distilled water is the purest form of water and it acts as an insulator. Therefore it is used in
batteries as an insulator. For conduction of electricity, water should have dissolved ions in it but
distilled water does not have any ions for conduction of electricity. To conduct electricity through
distilled water, we need to add some impurities such as salts. The tap water, sea water contains
some traces of salts and impurities, due to which it becomes good conductor of electricity.

4. The materials, which allow electric current to pass through them, are called conductors. Examples
are: All metals (copper, silver, iron) are good conductors. Water that usually contains impurities
and traces of salt, is also a good conductor. Human body is also a good conductor.
Materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them are called insulators. Insulators
oppose electric current and so they are used as a protection from the dangerous effects of
electricity. Examples of insulators are glass, air, wood, plastic and rubber.

5. When electric cell is connected to the circuit, the chemical energy inside an electric cell gets
converted to electrical energy, which flows through the circuit. Then electrical energy is converted
into mechanical energy and then sound energy of the bell.

6. An electric switch is device, which is used to break or complete an electric circuit. Switches are
widely used in different electrical or electronic gadgets. Examples: toggle switches used in houses,
pushbutton switches used in microwaves, water pump, mobile phones, TV.

7. In general a circuit has the following components:

1) A cell or battery: source of electricity
2) Connecting wires: conductor
3) Key or switch
4) Bulb or electric device

8. No, electric current will not flow in the circuit because for the flow of electric current, circuit
should be closed.

9. The thin wire that gives off light is called the filament of the bulb. Due to high resistance of
filament and heating effect of electric current, filament glows and gives us light.

10. Since electricians work on electric devices or circuits which may contain live wires (wires carrying
current) and they may accidentally come in contact with them. Since human body is also a good
conductor, electricians may get shock. Rubber is a good insulator. To prevent themselves from
electric shock or flow of current, the electricians use rubber gloves while repairing.

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Class VI Electricity and circuits Physics
11. Electric cell is a device, which converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Electric cell has
two terminals, which are made up of metal, one terminal is positive, and other one is negative.
Terminal which is in cap shape is positive terminal and other terminal which is in disc shape is
negative terminal.

12. 1) Conductor allows electricity to pass through it, whereas insulator does not allow electricity to
pass through it.
2) Conductors have free electrons, whereas insulators do not have free electrons.
3) When we touch conductor, which is connected in the circuit, we will get shock, whereas
insulator protects us from the electric shock.

13. Without the help of insulators, the use of electrical tools like pliers and screwdrivers is
impossible. Wood and plastics are insulators and help in avoiding direct contact with electric
current. When electricians touch these live electric wires with the tools covered with plastic and
wood, current does not flow in their body avoid any accident.

14. Since the object allows current to flow and completes the circuit. Due to this, bulb begins to
glow. It means the object is a good conductor of electricity.

15. Switch is a simple device that is used to either break the electric circuit or to complete it.

16. Electric cells are used in alarm clocks, wristwatches, transistor radios, cameras and many other
devices.

17. Electricity needs a path to flow from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of an electric
cell. A connection that provides a path outside an electric cell, for the electricity to flow from the
positive terminal to the negative terminal of the cell, is called electrical circuit.

Components of an electrical circuit are:-

1) Electric cell
2) Connecting wires
3) Bulb or electric device
4) Electric switch or key

18. Good conductors: Copper, silver, iron, steel, tap water, sea water
Insulators: Wood, plastic, rubber, glass, distilled water.

19. Metal conducts electricity because they have free electrons which act as a charge carriers.

20. The material, which conducts electricity, is known as conductor. In day to day life, we use so
many electrical appliances which are made up of conductors. These conductors help us to create
an electrical path for the electricity to flow through it. Hence, conductors play an important role
in day to day life. Since direct contact with electrical circuits can be fatal as electric current can
give fatal burns. So to protect ourselves from electricity, we can use insulators which acts as a
protecting layer as insulators do not conduct electricity. Hence, both conductors and insulators
are equally important in day to day life

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