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This “Cables, Plugs, and Electrical Safety” PowerPoint lesson is designed for AQA GCSE Physics students, covering the structure and function of three-pin plugs, electrical wiring, and essential safety features in household appliances. The lesson includes clear explanations, diagrams, and real-world applications to help students understand electrical safety.
The lesson begins with a starter activity reviewing electrical conductors and insulators. Students answer questions about good and poor conductors, the behavior of thermistors and light-dependent resistors (LDRs), and how adding resistors in parallel affects total resistance. This ensures a strong foundation in circuit components before introducing plug wiring.
Students then examine the structure of three-pin plugs, identifying the live (brown), neutral (blue), and earth (green/yellow) wires. They learn why plug cases are made of plastic (insulator) and why brass is used for plug pins (good conductor, corrosion-resistant). The lesson includes labeled diagrams, with an activity requiring students to identify the internal components of a plug and explain their function.
The section on two-core vs. three-core cables explains why some appliances do not require an earth wire (e.g., plastic-cased appliances) and why metal-cased appliances must have an earth wire to prevent electrocution.
A key focus is on electrical safety devices, including fuses, switches, and earth wires. Students learn how fuses prevent overheating by melting when excessive current flows, cutting off the power supply. The lesson covers different fuse ratings (3A, 5A, 13A) and includes practice questions where students select the correct fuse for an appliance based on its current draw.
The lesson also explains short circuits and how they create fire hazards by allowing a large current to flow with little resistance. Students explore how fuses, circuit breakers, and earth wires prevent electrical hazards by cutting off the current when a fault occurs.
This editable PowerPoint (.pptx) file is designed specifically for AQA GCSE Physics students. Updated in February 2025, it provides structured explanations, interactive activities, and practical applications, making it an essential resource for teaching cables, plugs, and electrical safety in GCSE Physics.
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Very well broken down lesson. The content flows well and the revision video is brilliant.
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