Electrical Circuits

1. Electrical Circuits

2. Electrical Circuits Circuit: a complete path in which electricity flows

3. Electrical Circuits Power Sources: a dry battery can be a source of electricity for a simple circuit, it sends out a current of electrons

4. Electrical Circuits The current of electricity flows on a path through the cell, a socket and a bulb through connecting wires to form a circuit. Then the electrical current has a full path to flow through.

5. Electrical Circuits

6. Conductors and Insulators Some materials are conductors of electricity, and some are insulators. Conductors: allow electrical currents to flow through them to complete a circuit Insulators: do not allow electrical currents to flow through them

7. Conductors Some examples of conductors are copper, aluminum, paper clips, keys etc.

8. Insulators Some examples of insulators are: Non-metal materials such as wood, plastic, rubber, glass and cork.

9. Electrical Switches Electricity cannot flow if there is a gap in the circuit. A switch controls the flow of electricity by either opening of closing a gap.

10. Series and Parallel Circuits Series Circuit: a circuit with one loop. If you can place your finger on any part of the circuit and trace a path to the start, you have a series circuit

11. Series Circuits Here is an example:

12. Parallel Circuits Parallel circuit: can be recognized by having more than one loop. If you can place your finger on any part of the circuit and trace a path, there will be a point where you have to choose which wire to follow.

13. Parallel Circuit Here is an example:

14. Comparing Series and Parallel Circuits

15. Which one is better? Different needs require different circuits. Parallel Circuits are used in wiring a house so lights and appliances can be use independently: If one bulb burns out, other bulbs will continue to glow If one wire is disconnected it does not mean the light will go out Light bulbs will continue to glow regardless of the circuit