Circuit diagrams like the one below are used to illustrate a circuit’s different components, or parts, and the direction of its current: A switch in a circuit is any component that can open or close ...

Each component makes something happen using electricity. The picture above shows a circuit with a bulb and a battery cell in. The diagram next to it shows the symbols for each of these components.

Learn how electric circuits work and how to measure current and potential difference with this guide for KS3 physics students aged 11-14 from BBC Bitesize.