Circuit symbols
We use circuit symbols to draw diagrams of electrical circuits, with straight lines to show the wires. The diagram shows some common circuit symbols.
Cells and batteries
The symbol for a battery is made by joining two more symbols for a cell together.
Think of what we usually call a single battery, like the type you put in a torch. In physics, each of these is actually called a cell. It is only when you have two or more of these cells connected together that you call it a battery. Do not confuse electrical cells with the cells in living organisms.
Circuit diagrams
The idea of a circuit diagram is to use circuit symbols instead of drawing each component in the circuit. Always try to make the wires straight lines. Do not be tempted to make them wiggly because the whole point is to make it easier to see what is connected to what.
Here you can see how the symbols for a cell and a lamp look in a circuit diagram:
If you have to draw a circuit diagram:
- draw the circuit symbols first, then
- draw all the wires
If you have to draw wires to join circuit symbols that have been drawn for you already, use a ruler and do not let the wires cross each other.
