Electricity and Circuits Class 6 Questions and Answers

⚡ Electricity and Circuits Class 6 Questions and Answers

NCERT Chapter 12 with Detailed Solutions

Master Electricity and Circuits for Class 6 Science with comprehensive questions and answers covering electric cells, bulbs, switches, circuits, conductors, and insulators. Each answer is explained in simple, student-friendly language for CBSE exams.

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Electricity and Circuits — Questions & Answers

NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 12

📘 Quick Reference: Electricity and Circuits

Electricity: A form of energy that powers our homes, schools, and devices. It flows through wires and is used for lighting, heating, and running machines.
Electric Cell: A device that produces electricity from chemicals stored inside it. It has two terminals:
- Positive terminal (+): The metal cap on top
- Negative terminal (−): The metal disc at the bottom
Electric Bulb: A device that converts electrical energy into light. It has:
- Filament: A thin wire (made of tungsten) that glows when current passes through it
- Two terminals: The metal case at the base and the metal tip at the centre
Electric Circuit: A complete closed path through which electric current flows. It consists of:
- A source (cell/battery)
- Connecting wires
- A device (bulb)
- A switch (optional)
Open Circuit: When there is a break in the circuit, current does not flow, and the bulb does not glow.
Closed Circuit: When the circuit is complete, current flows, and the bulb glows.
Switch: A device used to complete or break a circuit.
- ON position: Circuit is complete (closed) — current flows
- OFF position: Circuit is broken (open) — no current flows
Conductors: Materials that allow electric current to pass through them. Examples: Copper, aluminium, iron, silver, tap water.
Insulators: Materials that do not allow electric current to pass through them. Examples: Rubber, plastic, wood, glass, air.
Fused Bulb: A bulb with a broken filament. It does not glow even in a closed circuit.
Safety Rules:
- Never touch electrical appliances with wet hands
- Never connect the two terminals of a cell directly
- Always use insulators to handle electrical wires

Key Points Summary Table:

Concept	Key Point
Cell Terminals	Positive (+) cap, Negative (−) disc
Bulb Filament	Made of tungsten; glows when current flows
Current Flow	Only in a closed circuit
Conductors	Allow current (copper, iron)
Insulators	Do not allow current (rubber, plastic)

💡 Study Tip

When studying this chapter, try simple experiments at home. Take a torch cell, a small bulb, and some wires. Try to make the bulb glow by connecting them in different ways. You will learn that the bulb glows only when the circuit is complete. Also, test different materials (like a coin, a rubber band, a pencil) to see which are conductors and which are insulators.

Question 1

What is an electric cell?

✅ Answer:

An electric cell is a device that produces electricity from chemicals stored inside it.

Question 2

How many terminals does an electric cell have?

✅ Answer:

An electric cell has two terminals — a positive (+) terminal and a negative (−) terminal.

Question 3

Which terminal of an electric cell is the metal cap?

✅ Answer:

The metal cap on an electric cell is the positive (+) terminal.

Question 4

What is an electric circuit?

✅ Answer:

An electric circuit is a complete closed path through which electric current flows.

Question 5

Name the thin wire inside a bulb that glows.

✅ Answer:

The thin wire inside a bulb that glows is called the filament.

Question 6

What is the function of a switch in a circuit?

✅ Answer:

A switch is used to complete or break an electric circuit.

Question 7

What is a closed circuit?

✅ Answer:

A closed circuit is a circuit in which the path is complete, allowing current to flow.

Question 8

What is an open circuit?

✅ Answer:

An open circuit is a circuit in which there is a break in the path, so current does not flow.

Question 9

What are conductors?

✅ Answer:

Conductors are materials that allow electric current to pass through them. Example: copper, iron.

Question 10

What are insulators?

✅ Answer:

Insulators are materials that do not allow electric current to pass through them. Example: rubber, plastic.

Question 11

Give two examples of conductors.

✅ Answer:

Copper and aluminium are two examples of conductors.

Question 12

Give two examples of insulators.

✅ Answer:

Rubber and plastic are two examples of insulators.

Question 13

Why does a bulb not glow if the filament is broken?

✅ Answer:

If the filament is broken, the circuit is incomplete, so current cannot flow, and the bulb does not glow.

Question 14

What is the direction of current in a circuit?

✅ Answer:

Electric current flows from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of a cell.

Question 15

What is the purpose of the metal case at the base of a bulb?

✅ Answer:

The metal case at the base of a bulb is one of the two terminals that connects the filament to the circuit.

Question 16

What is a fused bulb?

✅ Answer:

A fused bulb is a bulb with a broken filament, which does not glow even in a closed circuit.

Question 17

Name one material used to make the filament of a bulb.

✅ Answer:

Tungsten is used to make the filament of a bulb.

Question 18

Why are electric wires covered with plastic or rubber?

✅ Answer:

Electric wires are covered with plastic or rubber because they are insulators that prevent electric shock.

Question 19

What happens if the two terminals of a cell are connected directly by a wire?

✅ Answer:

The wire becomes hot, and the cell may get damaged because of a short circuit.

Question 20

What is a battery?

✅ Answer:

A battery is a combination of two or more electric cells connected together.

Question 21

Can we use a metal spoon to handle electrical wires?

✅ Answer:

No, a metal spoon is a conductor and can cause electric shock. We should use insulated tools.

Question 22

Why is the human body a conductor of electricity?

✅ Answer:

The human body contains water and salts, making it a conductor of electricity.

Question 23

Give an example of a natural source of electricity.

✅ Answer:

Lightning is a natural source of electricity.

Question 24

Why should we never touch electrical appliances with wet hands?

✅ Answer:

Water conducts electricity. Touching appliances with wet hands can cause severe electric shock.

Question 25

What is the function of a bulb holder?

✅ Answer:

A bulb holder connects the bulb to the circuit wires, completing the electrical path.

Question 26

Why is a switch made of plastic or rubber on the outside?

✅ Answer:

A switch is made of plastic or rubber on the outside because these are insulators that prevent electric shock.

Question 27

What is the source of electricity in a torch?

✅ Answer:

The source of electricity in a torch is the electric cells (battery).

Question 28

What happens to a bulb if the switch is turned OFF?

✅ Answer:

When the switch is turned OFF, the circuit becomes open, and the bulb does not glow.

Question 29

Why is a wire made of copper?

✅ Answer:

Copper is used to make wires because it is a good conductor of electricity.

Question 30

Name one source of electricity used in homes.

✅ Answer:

Power stations supply electricity to homes through wires.

Question 1

What is an electric circuit? What are its main components?

✅ Answer:

An electric circuit is a complete closed path through which electric current flows.

The main components of an electric circuit are:

Source: A cell or battery that provides electricity
Connecting wires: Wires that carry current
Device: A bulb, motor, or other device
Switch: A device to open or close the circuit

Question 2

Why does an electric bulb glow when current passes through it?

✅ Answer:

When electric current passes through the filament of a bulb, the filament becomes very hot and glows, producing light. The filament is made of tungsten, which has a very high melting point and can glow without melting.

Question 3

Differentiate between conductors and insulators with examples.

✅ Answer:

Conductors: Materials that allow electric current to pass through them. Examples: copper, iron, aluminium, tap water.

Insulators: Materials that do not allow electric current to pass through them. Examples: rubber, plastic, wood, glass.

Question 4

What is the difference between an open circuit and a closed circuit?

✅ Answer:

Open circuit: There is a break in the path, so current does not flow, and the bulb does not glow.

Closed circuit: The path is complete, so current flows, and the bulb glows.

Question 5

Why is the filament of a bulb made of tungsten?

✅ Answer:

The filament of a bulb is made of tungsten because:

Tungsten has a very high melting point
It can glow brightly without melting
It has high resistance, which helps in producing light

Question 6

What is a battery? How is it different from a cell?

✅ Answer:

A cell is a single unit that produces electricity from chemicals. A battery is a combination of two or more cells connected together. A battery provides more electrical energy than a single cell.

Question 7

What safety rules should be followed while using electricity?

✅ Answer:

Safety rules while using electricity:

Never touch electrical appliances with wet hands.
Never connect the two terminals of a cell directly.
Always use insulated tools for electrical work.
Do not pull wires while disconnecting appliances.
Use rubber gloves when working with electricity.

Question 8

Explain how a switch works in a circuit.

✅ Answer:

A switch is a simple device used to complete or break a circuit. When the switch is in the ON position, the circuit is closed, and current flows. When it is in the OFF position, the circuit is open, and no current flows.

Question 9

Why is the human body a good conductor of electricity?

✅ Answer:

The human body is a good conductor of electricity because it contains water and dissolved salts. These help in the flow of electric current. That is why we should never touch electrical appliances with wet hands.

Question 10

A bulb does not glow even when connected to a cell. What could be the possible reasons?

✅ Answer:

A bulb may not glow even when connected to a cell because:

The circuit is open (there is a break in the wire)
The filament is broken (fused bulb)
The cell is dead (no electricity)
The connections are loose

Question 11

What are the different types of materials used for making electrical wires? Why?

✅ Answer:

Electrical wires are made of:

Copper or aluminium for the conducting part, because they are good conductors of electricity.
Plastic or rubber for the covering, because they are insulators and prevent electric shock.

Question 12

What is the direction of electric current in a circuit?

✅ Answer:

By convention, electric current flows from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of a cell in the external circuit. This is called conventional current.

Question 13

Explain why the bulb in a torch does not glow when the switch is off.

✅ Answer:

When the switch is off, the circuit becomes open. There is a break in the path, so current cannot flow from the cell to the bulb. Without current, the filament does not heat up or glow.

Question 14

Why are insulators used to cover electric wires?

✅ Answer:

Insulators like plastic and rubber are used to cover electric wires because:

They prevent electric shock when we touch the wires.
They protect the wire from damage.
They prevent short circuits when wires touch each other.

Question 15

Name five conductors and five insulators.

✅ Answer:

Conductors: Copper, aluminium, iron, silver, tap water.

Insulators: Rubber, plastic, wood, glass, air.

Question 1

Explain the structure and working of a simple electric circuit with a bulb and a cell. What are the conditions for the bulb to glow?

✅ Answer:

Simple Electric Circuit:
A simple electric circuit consists of a cell, a bulb, and connecting wires. The cell provides electrical energy, and the bulb uses this energy to produce light.

Structure:

Cell: Has a positive terminal (+) and a negative terminal (−).
Bulb: Has two terminals — the metal case and the metal tip.
Wires: Connect the cell to the bulb.

Working:
When the positive terminal of the cell is connected to one terminal of the bulb and the negative terminal to the other, the circuit is complete. Current flows through the filament, heating it up and making it glow.

Conditions for the Bulb to Glow:

The circuit must be closed (complete path).
The filament must be intact (not broken).
The cell must have charge.
The connections must be tight.

Question 2

What are conductors and insulators? Explain with examples and their uses in daily life.

✅ Answer:

Conductors:
Materials that allow electric current to pass through them are called conductors.
Examples: Copper, aluminium, iron, silver, tap water.

Insulators:
Materials that do not allow electric current to pass through them are called insulators.
Examples: Rubber, plastic, wood, glass, air.

Uses in Daily Life:

Material	Type	Use
Copper	Conductor	Electrical wires
Aluminium	Conductor	Power lines
Plastic	Insulator	Wire covering
Rubber	Insulator	Gloves for electrical work

Question 3

Describe an activity to test whether a material is a conductor or an insulator.

✅ Answer:

Activity to Test Conductors and Insulators:

Materials needed:

A cell
A bulb with a holder
Connecting wires
Materials to test: coin, rubber band, pencil, iron nail, plastic scale, etc.

Procedure:

Set up a circuit with the cell, bulb, and wires.
Leave a gap in the circuit to insert the test material.
Place each test material in the gap and observe whether the bulb glows.

Observation:

If the bulb glows, the material is a conductor (e.g., coin, iron nail).
If the bulb does not glow, the material is an insulator (e.g., rubber band, plastic scale).

Conclusion:
This activity helps us identify conductors and insulators.

Question 4

What is an electric cell? Explain its structure and function.

✅ Answer:

Electric Cell:
An electric cell is a device that produces electricity from chemicals stored inside it.

Structure:

Positive terminal (+): The metal cap on top of the cell.
Negative terminal (−): The metal disc at the bottom of the cell.
Chemicals: Inside the cell, chemicals react to produce electricity.

Function:
When the two terminals of the cell are connected through a circuit, chemical reactions inside the cell produce electric current. This current flows from the positive terminal to the negative terminal through the external circuit.

Uses:
Cells are used in torches, remote controls, clocks, toys, and many other devices.

Question 5

Explain the working of a torch with the help of a circuit diagram (described in words).

✅ Answer:

Working of a Torch:

A torch consists of:

Cells: Two or more cells connected in series, placed inside the torch body.
Bulb: Connected at the front of the torch.
Switch: A sliding switch on the body.
Reflector: A shiny surface behind the bulb to focus light.

Circuit Description:
The positive terminal of one cell touches the negative terminal of the next cell. The positive terminal of the last cell connects to the switch. The switch connects to the bulb. The other terminal of the bulb connects back to the negative terminal of the first cell.

Working:

When the switch is ON, the circuit is complete. Current flows through the bulb's filament, and it glows.
When the switch is OFF, the circuit is broken. No current flows, and the bulb does not glow.

Conclusion:
A torch uses cells, a bulb, and a switch to produce light when needed.

Question 6

Why is it dangerous to connect the two terminals of a cell directly with a wire?

✅ Answer:

Why It Is Dangerous:

When the two terminals of a cell are connected directly with a wire:

The circuit has very low resistance.
A very large current flows through the wire.
The wire becomes very hot and may burn.
The cell may get damaged or even explode.

This condition is called a short circuit.

Precautions:

Never connect the two terminals of a cell directly.
Always include a device (like a bulb) in the circuit to limit the current.
Use a fuse for safety in electrical circuits.

Question 7

Explain the difference between a cell and a battery. Give examples of their uses.

✅ Answer:

Cell:
A cell is a single unit that produces electricity from chemicals. It has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. It provides a small amount of electrical energy.

Battery:
A battery is a combination of two or more cells connected together. It provides more electrical energy than a single cell.

Comparison Table:

Feature	Cell	Battery
Unit	Single	Multiple cells
Energy	Less	More
Uses	Watch, remote	Torch, car

Question 8

Explain the importance of insulators in electrical safety. What precautions should be taken while handling electricity?

✅ Answer:

Importance of Insulators:
Insulators are important for electrical safety because:

They prevent electric shock by not allowing current to pass through our body.They are used to cover wires, so we can safely touch them.
They are used in switches, plugs, and sockets to protect users.
They prevent short circuits by stopping wires from touching each other.

Precautions While Handling Electricity:

Never touch electrical appliances with wet hands.
Never connect the two terminals of a cell or battery directly.
Always use insulated tools (with plastic or rubber handles) for electrical work.
Do not overload sockets with too many plugs.
Turn off the main switch before repairing any electrical device.
Keep electrical wires away from water and heat sources.

Question 9

Draw and explain a simple circuit with a cell, a bulb, and a switch. What happens when the switch is turned ON and OFF?

✅ Answer:

Simple Circuit Diagram (Described in Words):

Imagine a rectangular path made of wires. On one side, we place a cell (with its positive and negative terminals). On the opposite side, we connect a bulb. In one of the wires, we insert a switch.

Components:

Cell: Provides electrical energy.
Bulb: Converts electrical energy into light.
Switch: Controls the flow of current.
Wires: Connect all components.

When Switch is ON (Closed Circuit):

The circuit is complete.
Current flows from the positive terminal of the cell, through the wires, the switch, and the bulb, back to the negative terminal.
The filament of the bulb heats up and glows.

When Switch is OFF (Open Circuit):

The circuit is broken at the switch.
No current flows through the circuit.
The bulb does not glow.

Conclusion:
A switch is a simple device that allows us to control the flow of electricity in a circuit.

Question 10

What is the difference between conductors and insulators? Explain their importance with suitable examples.

✅ Answer:

Conductors:
Materials that allow electric current to pass through them. Examples: Copper, aluminium, iron, silver, tap water.

Insulators:
Materials that do not allow electric current to pass through them. Examples: Rubber, plastic, wood, glass, air.

Importance of Conductors:

Used for making electrical wires (copper, aluminium).
Used in circuit boards and electrical components.
Used for earthing to prevent shock.

Importance of Insulators:

Used for covering wires to prevent electric shock (plastic, rubber).
Used in switches, plugs, and sockets.
Used for making protective gloves for electricians.

Conclusion:
Both conductors and insulators are important for the safe and efficient use of electricity. Conductors carry current where needed, while insulators keep us safe from it.

📘 Quick Revision: Electricity and Circuits

Electric Cell: Device that produces electricity. Has positive (+) and negative (−) terminals.
Bulb: Contains a tungsten filament that glows when current flows.
Circuit: Complete path for current. Open circuit = no current, Closed circuit = current flows.
Switch: Controls the circuit — ON (closed) and OFF (open).
Conductors: Allow current (copper, iron, tap water).
Insulators: Do not allow current (rubber, plastic, wood).
Safety: Never touch appliances with wet hands, never connect cell terminals directly.