STUDENT IDENTIFICATION
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E1
Engage — The Measurement Mystery
Discover what happens when we measure electricity
ENGAGE
⚡ How do we know what's happening inside a circuit?
Electric current is invisible — but we can measure it! Two special instruments let us see exactly what electricity is doing. Let's discover them.
A
Ammeter
Measures electric current
Amperes (A)
📌 Connected in SERIES — in the path of current
V
Voltmeter
Measures voltage (potential difference)
Volts (V)
📌 Connected in PARALLEL — across the component
LIVE CIRCUIT — Click the instruments to learn more
Click on the ⓐ or ⓥ symbols in the circuit above
Ammeter — Series Connection
The ammeter is placed in the main path of the circuit so that all the current flows through it. It has very low resistance so it doesn't affect the current.
Same current enters and exits the ammeter
Voltmeter — Parallel Connection
The voltmeter is connected across (beside) the component you want to measure. It has very high resistance so almost no current flows through it.
Measures the potential difference across two points
⚠ Never connect an ammeter in parallel — it can damage the instrument due to its very low resistance. Never connect a voltmeter in series — it has very high resistance and the reading will be nearly zero.
TAP & MATCH — Place the instruments correctly
Tap the correct instrument below, then Tap the connection box to place it:
⬤ Ammeter
⬤ Voltmeter
Connected in SERIES → measures:
Tap here
Connected in PARALLEL → measures:
Tap here
E2
Explore — PhET Virtual Lab
Build circuits and use virtual instruments
EXPLORE
Use the PhET simulation below. Follow each task carefully, then answer the questions.
📋 Instructions:
1. Open the simulation below → select "Lab" tab in PhET
2. Build a simple series circuit: Battery → Wire → Bulb → back to Battery
3. Add an Ammeter (current meter) in series in the circuit
4. Add a Voltmeter — connect its probes across the bulb
5. Observe the readings and answer the questions below
1. Open the simulation below → select "Lab" tab in PhET
2. Build a simple series circuit: Battery → Wire → Bulb → back to Battery
3. Add an Ammeter (current meter) in series in the circuit
4. Add a Voltmeter — connect its probes across the bulb
5. Observe the readings and answer the questions below
PhET Interactive Simulations — DC Circuit Construction Kit
PHET ACTIVITY QUESTIONS
1
Build a simple circuit with one battery and one light bulb. Where did you place the ammeter? Describe its position in the circuit.
2
What is the ammeter reading in your circuit? Write the value with its unit.
Amperes (A)
3
Now connect the voltmeter probes across the light bulb. What does the voltmeter read?
Volts (V)
4
Add a second light bulb in SERIES with the first. What happened to the ammeter reading? Did it increase, decrease, or stay the same? Explain why.
5
Now try adding the second bulb in PARALLEL instead of series. What happened to the ammeter reading from the battery?
📸 UPLOAD YOUR SCREENSHOT
Upload Your Work to Grade 7 Folder
Take a screenshot of your PhET circuit showing both meters reading correctly. Please rename your file to include your full name (e.g., 'Ahmad_Omar_1.png'). If uploading more than one file, use a number to distinguish them.
Open Grade 7 Folder ↗
E3
Explain — Symbols & Circuit Rules
Master the official circuit symbols and connection rules
EXPLAIN
🔍 Reading Circuit Diagrams
In circuit diagrams, every component has a standard symbol. The ammeter and voltmeter each have their own — a circle with a capital letter inside.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM — COMPLETE CIRCUIT WITH BOTH METERS
Tap?
Tap?
Standard circuit diagram: Battery → Ammeter (series) → Bulb with Voltmeter (parallel)
Key Symbol Rules:
• Ammeter (A in circle) — drawn IN the wire, breaks the circuit like a door
• Voltmeter (V in circle) — drawn BESIDE the component, with two wires connecting across it
• Both symbols: circle with capital letter — ⓐ and ⓥ
• The connecting wires in diagrams are always straight lines at right angles
• Ammeter (A in circle) — drawn IN the wire, breaks the circuit like a door
• Voltmeter (V in circle) — drawn BESIDE the component, with two wires connecting across it
• Both symbols: circle with capital letter — ⓐ and ⓥ
• The connecting wires in diagrams are always straight lines at right angles
REAL WORLD — THE DIGITAL MULTIMETER
In the real lab, we use a single device called a Multimeter. It has two main wire probes: a Red wire and a Black wire.
The COM (Common) terminal is always connected to the Black wire.
Rule: The COM terminal must always face the Negative (-) side of the circuit, and the Red wire faces the Positive (+) side.
Tap a wire below to select it, then Tap the correct spots on the battery and the circuit diagram above to connect it!
COM
RED
Battery (+)
Tap Here
Battery (-)
Tap Here
QUICK CHECK — SYMBOLS & CONNECTIONS
1 pt
1. In a circuit diagram, the symbol for an ammeter is:
1 pt
2. An ammeter must always be connected:
E4
Elaborate — Circuit Challenge Game
Place the meters correctly to complete each circuit!
ELABORATE
⚡ CIRCUIT METER CHALLENGE
Place the AMMETER and VOLTMETER in the correct positions to complete the circuit
How to play: Each round shows a circuit with empty slots (marked [ ? ]).
Click a slot to place the correct instrument. Ammeter goes IN SERIES (breaks the wire).
Voltmeter goes IN PARALLEL (across a component).
Score points for correct placements. 3 lives — don't waste them! 🎯
Score points for correct placements. 3 lives — don't waste them! 🎯
Score: 0 | Lives: ❤❤❤
E5
Evaluate — Assessment
Exercises, MCQ & submit your work
EVALUATE
📊 Concept Exercises
Test your understanding of the proper way to connect measurement instruments and their main roles.
Ex 1 — 2 pts
What does an Ammeter measure and how must it be connected?
Ex 2 — 2 pts
What does a Voltmeter measure and how must it be connected?
Ex 3 — 2 pts
Which multimeter terminal is the COM port, and where does it connect?
Ex 4 — 2 pts
Why must a voltmeter be connected in parallel?
MCQ — CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS (4 pts)
1 pt
5. Which instrument is connected in series in a circuit?
1 pt
6. The unit of measurement for the ammeter is:
1 pt
7. A student connects a voltmeter in series by mistake. What will happen?
1 pt
8. What happens if you accidentally connect an ammeter in parallel across a bulb?
WRITTEN RESPONSE — 4 pts
A student wants to measure the voltage across a bulb AND the current through it at the same time. Describe exactly how they should connect both instruments in the circuit. Use the words "series" and "parallel" in your answer.
📁 UPLOAD COMPLETED WORK
Upload Your Completed Lab to Grade 7 Folder
You can upload screenshots, documents, or any evidence of your work here. Please rename your file to include your full name (e.g., 'Ali_Ahmad_2.png'). If you upload multiple files, please number them.
Open Grade 7 Folder ↗
SUBMIT YOUR RESULTS
Exercises
0/8
MCQ
0/8
PhET
0/4
Written
4/4
0
/20
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