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Help your students master circuit symbols GCSE content with this comprehensive revision resource designed specifically for AQA GCSE Physics. This worksheet combines a matching activity with a complete reference table covering all the essential circuit components students need to know.
What's included
- Complete circuit symbols reference table featuring all 14 components from the AQA specification, including lamp, fuse, diode, resistor, thermistor, LED, LDR, ammeter and more
- Matching activity to help students actively test their knowledge of circuit symbols and component functions
- Adaptable format that you can easily customise to differentiate for different ability levels in your classroom
The resource is available as a free printable PDF, or subscribe to access the editable Word document version.
Why use this circuit symbols GCSE resource
AQA GCSE Physics students must be able to identify circuit components from their symbols and explain how each one functions within a circuit. This worksheet gives them all the key information in one place, making it an efficient revision tool.
The resource covers every circuit component students need to recognise: lamp, fuse, open switch, closed switch, diode, voltmeter, cell, battery, resistor, variable resistor, thermistor, LED, LDR and ammeter.
How to use this worksheet
In lessons, use the matching activity as an engaging way to introduce or consolidate circuit symbols. For differentiation, simply remove rows from the editable version to reduce demand, or add additional details for extension work. You could also cut up the answer sheet to create matching cards for a kinaesthetic activity.
For independent revision, students can use the worksheet to test themselves on circuit symbols and their functions, or refer to the summary table for a quick reference guide when preparing for their GCSE Physics exam.
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Extract from the worksheet — electricity components and their functions:
|
Component |
Function |
|
lamp |
Lights up when current flows through it |
|
fuse |
Breaks a circuit if too much current flows through it by the metal wire melting |
|
open switch |
Creates a break in the circuit so that current cannot flow |
|
diode |
Allows current to flow through it in one direction only |
|
voltmeter |
Measures potential difference across a component in volts |
|
cell |
Source of potential difference in a circuit |
|
resistor |
Has a designed resistance to electric current passing through it |
|
thermistor |
A resistor which reduces in resistance when heated |
|
LED |
Diode that emits light when a voltage is applied |
|
closed switch |
Completes a circuit so that electric current can flow |
|
battery |
Two or more cells electrically connected to provide a source of potential difference |
|
LDR |
A resistor whose resistance varies depending on the light intensity |
|
ammeter |
Measures electric current through a circuit in amperes |
|
variable resistor |
A component which can have its resistance changed to vary the amount of current flowing through a circuit |
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