Day 2 Parts of a Circuit Simple Circuits















- Slides: 15
Day 2: Parts of a Circuit
Simple Circuits § An electric circuit is the path that an electric current follows §Current is flowing charges, like cars on a highway – THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM STATIC ELECTRICITY!!!
Circuit Diagrams Battery Switch Light bulb Wire
All electric circuits have three parts: § Source of electric energy (battery or wall outlet) § Wires § Device that uses the energy (light bulb, stereo, etc. )
+ Circuits flow in a circular path from positive to negative
Open or Closed? http: //phet. colorado. edu/new/simulations/sims. php? si m=Circuit_Construction_Kit_DC_Only § In order for electricity to move through a circuit it must be closed § If a circuit is open the electricity cannot flow § Switches are objects that are used to determine whether a circuit will be closed or opened open
There are two types of circuits… §Series §Parallel
Types of Circuits What is the difference between the wiring?
Series Circuits §This is the simplest type of circuit
Series Circuits §The electric charges can follow only one path through the wires of the circuit §If one part goes out, they all go out. Ex. – Old-style Christmas lights are wired this way
Series Circuits Burned out light bulb If this light bulb does not turn on, neither light bulb will turn The circuit on. is broken + and the current can’t flow to this bulb here.
Parallel Circuits § The electric current can follow more than one path (branch)
Parallel Circuits The current divides because it has more than one path to flow. + Even though the path is stopped, the other light turns on because its circuit is not broken. Burned out light bulb
Parallel Continued § So would series or parallel be better to wire a house? § Parallel because if one light is missing or not working, the other lights have alternate paths to follow and will STAY LIT!
Building Circuits § § § Materials: Wire Cell Bulbs switch § Build a series circuit with a switch to control the light bulb § Build a parallel circuit with 2 light bulbs and a switch that controls one light bulb only