Question

What does this symbol mean in an electric circuit?

A. Switch
B. Capacitor
C. Resistance
D. Battery

Answer 1

Hint: You can start by explaining all the options given to us alongside their symbols. Then move to briefly explain the working of a simple switch (focusing on the ON and OFF position) as it will help to explain the symbol of the switch even better.

Complete answer:
Let’s look at all the options given to us one by one and then choose the correct option.

Capacitor – A capacitor is a device that stores electric energy inside it in the form of an electric field. The symbol of the capacitor in an electric circuit is

Resistance – Resistance is an electrical device that resists the flow of current (flow of electrons) through it. The symbol of a resistor in an electric circuit is

Battery – Battery is an electrical device that serves as the source of power for a circuit. We cannot operate an electrical circuit without a battery (except in the case of induced current). The symbol of a battery in an electrical circuit is

Switch – Switch is an electrical device that servers a control point for a circuit. A simple switch is placed between any two points in a circuit, here one end of the switch is permanently connected to the circuit and one end can move between two positions: ON and OFF position. In the OFF position the other end of the switch is not connected to the circuit, hence the circuit is not complete, and the current does not flow through the circuit. In the ON position the other end of the switch is also connected to the circuit, hence the circuit is complete and current flows through the circuit.

The ON and OFF position of a simple switch is shown below.

So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note:
In the solution above we discussed a simple switch in which one end of the switch is always connected to the circuit no matter if the switch is in the ON or the OFF position. But in some complex switches, we have both the ends free that make the control more sophisticated and offer two-way control.