Closed and Open Circuits 09/08

4th Grade Science
Topic 3 Energy
Lesson 6

October 7, 2024

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​1ST
Check out this informational Video!

2

Do Now

Which of these changes to the electric circuit shown will cause the light bulb to light up?

A. Straightening the wire so that the current can flow
more easily

B. Adding a switch and more wire so that the current
can flow more easily

C. Turning one battery so that its positive end connects
to the other battery’s negative end

D. Making the length of wire the same on both sides of
the light bulb

3

Energy

LO:SWBATclassify and describe closed and open circuits.

DOL: Given scenarios, SW correctly classify and describe
closed and open circuits in at least 4 of 5 questions.

SCI.4.8C Demonstrate and describe how electrical energy travels in a closed path that can produce light and thermal energy.
SEPs 4.1G
RTCs 4.5E

Multiple Choice

When a circuit is OPEN, will the output device turn on?

• No

• Yes

• Maybe

• I don't know.

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Essential Understandings &

Guiding Questions

How do you know that electricity is flowing through a circuit?

What is an open circuit?

What is a closed circuit?

Multiple Choice

For a light bulb to turn on, does the circuit have to be open or closed?

• open

• closed

• both

• half-way open

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Lesson Vocabulary

electrical circuit

open circuit

closed circuit

flow

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What do you think
happens to the electrical
energy in a circuit if it does
not have a closed path?

7

LIGHTS OUT!
The power shuts OFF!

8

Open Circuits

When the __________ does not light, that is considered an ____________.

An open circuit is a circuit where the path has been interrupted or
"__________" preventing the flow of ___________. An open circuit is also
called an _________________.

Word Bank

opened

incomplete circuit

light bulb
electricity
open circuit

light bulb

open circuit

opened

electricity

incomplete circuit

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A _____________ is a complete path that allows __________ to flow.
Electricity always starts from a power source, like a _________ or an outlet.
For a circuit to be complete, it needs a ______________, a pathway (
________ ), and can flow through a load (___________).

Closed Circuits

battery

closed circuit

electricity

wires

light bulb

power source

Word Bank

wires
battery

power source

light bulb
electricity

closed circuit

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Now what do you think
happens to the electrical
energy in a circuit if it does
not have a closed path?

Let’s revisit the phenomenon question.

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Electric Circuit

a path through
which electrical
energy can flow

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Open Circuit

When electricity
does not flow
because there is
not a complete
path for electricity
to flow through

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Closed Circuit

When electricity flows
in a complete path
and can provide
power to items

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Flow

the movement of
electrical energy
through a circuit

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The picture below shows the circuit that Vince made.

Will Vince's circuit light up the light bulb?

A. No, because he forgot to add a switch between
the battery and light bulb to complete the circuit.

B. No, because the wires need to attach to
opposite ends of the battery to complete the
circuit.

C. Yes, because the circuit has all the right parts.

D. Yes, because the circuit is a complete loop.

“I Do”

16

Dustin had a television set in his room. It was connected to an electrical outlet
by an electrical cord. One day, Dustin placed a bookcase over the cord. Later,
the television set failed to turn on. What likely occurred?

A. The bookcase damaged the wires in the electrical cord, and the circuit was
weakened.

B. The bookcase damaged the wires in the electrical cord, and the circuit
changed direction.

C. The bookcase damaged the wires in the electrical cord, and the circuit was
opened.

D.The bookcase damaged the wires in the electrical cord, and the circuit was
closed.

“We Do”

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DOL: Given
scenarios, SW
correctly classify and
describe closed and
open circuits in at
least 4 of 5
questions.

Demonstration of Learning

●Some images used in this lesson are taken from Adobe Stock. Adobe Stock
https://stock.adobe.com

●Some images used in this lesson are taken from Great Minds. Great Minds
https://digital.greatminds.org

●Some images used in this lesson are taken from SAVVAS realize. SAVVAS
realize https://www.savvasrealize.com

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Copyright for Reference