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Quizzes > Science

Basic electricity quiz for 8th grade

Quick 8th grade circuits quiz with instant results and study tips.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Krishawn BrownUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art battery lightbulb wires multimeter icons on sky blue background promoting eighth grade electricity quiz

This basic electricity quiz helps you check your understanding of circuits, voltage, and current, so you can spot what to review before a test. Want a quick refresher on current? Try the current electricity quiz, then drill circuits with an electrical circuits quiz, or build skills with an ohm's law quiz.

What is the unit of electric current?
Volt (V)
Joule (J)
Ampere (A)
Ohm (?)
Electric current is defined as the flow of electric charge per unit time, and its SI unit is the ampere (A). One ampere represents one coulomb of charge passing a point in one second. Other units like volts, ohms, and joules measure different electrical properties. .
Which symbol represents a resistor in a circuit diagram?
Zigzag line
Arrow
Circle
Parallel lines
In many circuit diagrams, a resistor is shown as a zigzag line or jagged rectangle, depending on regional conventions. The arrow often denotes a variable resistor, the circle is used for bulbs or motors, and parallel lines are used for capacitors. Recognizing symbol conventions helps in reading schematics accurately. .
Which type of material allows electric current to flow most easily?
Semiconductor
Conductor
Insulator
Electrolyte
Conductors are materials that have free electrons which can move easily under an electric field, allowing current to flow. Metals like copper and aluminum are common conductors. Insulators, by contrast, have tightly bound electrons that resist current flow. .
Which component is necessary to supply energy for a circuit to work?
Power source
No load
Broken wire
Open switch
A power source, such as a battery or power supply, provides the electromotive force needed to move charges around the circuit. An open switch or broken wire interrupts the flow and stops the circuit. Having a load alone without a source also does not generate current. .
Electric current is the flow of electrons along a conductor.
False
True
In metallic conductors, electric current is carried by the movement of free electrons through the lattice of atoms. Conventional current is defined as flowing from positive to negative, but electron flow is actually from negative to positive. Both descriptions are valid in circuit analysis. .
Which instrument is used to measure voltage in a circuit?
Ohmmeter
Ammeter
Voltmeter
Galvanometer
A voltmeter is designed to measure electrical potential difference (voltage) between two points in a circuit. It has a high internal resistance to minimize impact on the circuit. An ammeter measures current, and an ohmmeter measures resistance. .
What does the symbol with two parallel lines of unequal length represent in a circuit diagram?
Resistor
Capacitor
Switch
Battery or cell
A pair of parallel lines, one longer than the other, is the standard symbol for a cell or battery in circuit diagrams. Equal-length lines represent a capacitor. Resistors use zigzag lines or rectangles, and switches are shown as a break in a line with a pivot. .
Insulators are materials that:
Allow current to flow freely
Increase current flow
Prevent the flow of electric current
Store electrical energy
Insulators have very high electrical resistance, so they block or greatly reduce current flow. Materials like rubber, glass, and plastic are common insulators. They are used to coat wires and protect against electric shocks. .
Which law states that voltage equals current times resistance?
Coulomb's Law
Faraday's Law
Ohm's Law
Kirchhoff's Current Law
Ohm's Law describes the direct proportionality between voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in a circuit: V = I × R. It is fundamental in analyzing simple circuits. Other laws relate to magnetic induction, junction currents, or electrostatic forces. .
In a series circuit, the current through each component is:
The same
Zero if one resistor is present
Half of the total current
Different for each component
In series circuits, there is only one path for charge flow, so the current is the same at every point in the loop. Voltage divides among components, but current remains constant. This property helps in predicting behavior when adding more components. .
In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch is:
The same
Zero
Different for each branch
Equal to the branch resistance
Parallel circuits have multiple branches connected across the same two nodes, so each branch experiences the full supply voltage. Currents can differ based on branch resistance, but the voltage is equal across all branches. This design is common in household wiring. .
How is the total resistance calculated when resistors are connected in series?
By subtracting the smallest from the largest
By adding their resistances
Using the reciprocal formula
By multiplying their resistances
In a series connection, the total resistance (R_total) is simply the sum of individual resistances: R_total = R1 + R2 + … + Rn. This is because each resistor adds to the opposition to current flow along the single path. The reciprocal formula applies only to parallel connections. .
What is the electrical power dissipated by a device if the voltage is 12 V and the current is 2 A?
6 watts
10 watts
24 watts
14 watts
Electrical power (P) is calculated by multiplying voltage (V) and current (I): P = V × I. Here, P = 12 V × 2 A = 24 W. This formula shows how much energy per second the device uses. .
Which of the following is not a unit of energy?
Calorie
Electronvolt
Watt
Joule
The watt (W) is the SI unit of power, not energy. Energy is measured in joules (J), calories (cal), electronvolts (eV), and other units. One watt equals one joule per second. .
If a 10 V battery is connected to a 5 ? resistor, what current flows through the resistor?
0.5 A
5 A
50 A
2 A
Using Ohm's Law (I = V ÷ R), the current I = 10 V ÷ 5 ? = 2 A. This shows how doubling resistance halves the current for the same voltage. It's a basic application of the law. .
What happens when a short circuit occurs in a circuit?
Voltage in the circuit doubles
The circuit's total resistance increases
A very low-resistance path forms, causing high current
The circuit turns into an open circuit
A short circuit bypasses the designed load, creating a path of very low resistance. This leads to large currents that can cause overheating and damage. Protective devices like fuses and breakers prevent hazards. .
What is the total resistance of resistors of 2 ?, 4 ?, and 6 ? connected in parallel?
Approximately 6.0 ?
Approximately 12.0 ?
Approximately 2.0 ?
Approximately 1.1 ?
For parallel resistors, 1/R_total = 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/6 = 0.5 + 0.25 + 0.1667 = 0.9167. Thus, R_total ? 1/0.9167 ? 1.09 ?. Parallel connection always yields a lower equivalent resistance than the smallest resistor. .
Which statement best describes Kirchhoff's Current Law?
Sum of currents entering a node equals the sum leaving
Total resistance in series is the sum of resistances
Sum of voltages around a loop equals zero
Current is inversely proportional to resistance
Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) states that the algebraic sum of currents into and out of any junction (node) is zero, meaning the current entering equals current leaving. It ensures charge conservation in circuits. The loop rule (KVL) deals with voltages around loops. .
What effect does adding more resistors in parallel have on a circuit's total conductance?
It decreases total conductance
It doubles the total resistance
It has no effect on conductance
It increases total conductance
Conductance is the reciprocal of resistance. Adding resistors in parallel lowers total resistance, thereby increasing overall conductance. More pathways allow more current for a given voltage. .
A 12 V battery has an internal resistance of 2 ? and is delivering a current of 1 A. What is its terminal voltage?
6 V
10 V
2 V
12 V
Terminal voltage V_terminal = EMF ? I × r_internal. Here V = 12 V ? (1 A × 2 ?) = 10 V. Internal resistance leads to voltage drop inside the battery. .
What is the primary purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit?
To increase voltage
To measure current flow
To protect the circuit by melting under excessive current
To store electrical energy
A fuse contains a metal wire that melts when current exceeds a safe limit, interrupting the circuit and preventing damage or fire. It is a simple protective device. Once blown, the fuse must be replaced. .
Which device stores electrical energy in an electric field?
Resistor
Capacitor
Inductor
Transformer
A capacitor stores energy by accumulating separated positive and negative charges on two conductive plates. When connected in a circuit, it can charge and discharge quickly. Resistors dissipate energy, inductors store energy in magnetic fields, and transformers transfer energy between coils. .
What is the current through a capacitor in a DC circuit at steady state?
Zero
Oscillating
Infinite
Same as initial transient
In a DC circuit at steady state, a capacitor acts as an open circuit because it is fully charged and no more current flows. During the charging transient, current is nonzero, but once charged, the current drops to zero. .
How should an ammeter be connected in a circuit to measure current correctly?
In series with the component
Not connected to the circuit
Either series or parallel
In parallel with the component
An ammeter must be placed in series so that all current in the circuit flows through it. It has very low internal resistance to minimize voltage drop. Connecting it in parallel would short the circuit and damage the meter. .
Two resistors of 2 ? and 4 ? are connected in series, and their combination is connected in parallel with a 6 ? resistor. What is the total resistance of the circuit?
3 ?
6 ?
4 ?
2 ?
First add the series resistors: 2 ? + 4 ? = 6 ?. Then find the parallel equivalent with the 6 ? resistor: 1/R_total = 1/6 + 1/6 = 2/6, so R_total = 6/2 = 3 ?. This combines series and parallel analysis. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Electrical Terminology -

    Identify and define key terms such as voltage, current, resistance, and circuit to build a solid vocabulary for basic electricity.

  2. Compare Circuit Types -

    Differentiate between series and parallel circuits, explaining how component arrangement affects overall circuit behavior.

  3. Apply Ohm's Law -

    Use Ohm's Law to calculate voltage, current, or resistance in simple circuits, reinforcing foundational problem-solving skills.

  4. Construct Simple Circuits -

    Assemble basic electrical circuits using batteries, wires, and bulbs to observe how current flows in real-world setups.

  5. Troubleshoot Circuit Issues -

    Analyze circuit diagrams to identify common faults like open circuits or short circuits and suggest steps to correct them.

  6. Interpret Circuit Diagrams -

    Read and draw basic circuit diagrams, translating schematic symbols into practical circuit designs for hands-on learning.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Ohm's Law (V=IR) -

    When preparing for an 8th grade electricity quiz, mastering Ohm's Law is essential: V equals I times R. For example, if a circuit carries 2 A through a 5 Ω resistor, the voltage drop is 10 V (2 A × 5 Ω). A handy mnemonic is "Victor Is Right" to remember V=IR. (Source: MIT OpenCourseWare)

  2. Series vs. Parallel Circuits -

    In series circuits, resistances add (Rₜₒₜ = R₝ + R₂ + …), while in parallel circuits the reciprocals add (1/Rₜₒₜ = 1/R₝ + 1/R₂ + …). For instance, two 6 Ω resistors in series give 12 Ω, but in parallel they give 3 Ω. Use "S for Sum, P for Parts" as a mnemonic to recall the difference. (Source: Khan Academy)

  3. Voltage, Current & Resistance Definitions -

    Voltage is the electrical "pressure" (measured in volts), current is the flow rate of charge (amperes), and resistance is the opposition to that flow (ohms). Think of voltage as water pressure, current as the flow of water, and resistance as a narrowing pipe. This water analogy helps lock in the basic electricity principles. (Source: The Physics Classroom)

  4. Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) -

    KVL states that the sum of voltage changes around any closed loop equals zero. In a simple loop with a 12 V battery and two resistors dropping 5 V and 7 V, 12 - 5 - 7 = 0 V. Practicing loop sums sharpens your skills for any electric circuits quiz question. (Source: IEEE Educational Activities)

  5. Electrical Power (P=VI) -

    Power in a circuit is the product of voltage and current: P = V × I, measured in watts. For example, a bulb drawing 0.5 A at 12 V uses 6 W of power (12 V × 0.5 A). Remember "PIVot" to link Power, I, and V. (Source: HyperPhysics, Georgia State University)

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