This page is under Construction Last Update 2-2-15
Series and Parallel Circuit Lessons with Activities
Series Circuit vs Parallel Circuit
|
|
Amps, Voltage, and Resistance
One of the easiest ways to understand electricity is to use an analogy of water running though pipes and a faucet. Voltage is know as the electrical pressure in a circuit. While amps is the measurement of electrons passing a particular point. When working with electricity you must know the value of both volts and amps. Anyway back to the analogy, water in our pipes is always under pressure that was created by a water tower or well pump. The water pressure is voltage. If you are on city water your water is measured using a water meter, it just measures the volume of water that passed through it. In our analogy this is the amps. A faucet would represent a switch, when the faucet is open the water would flow, and when closed the water would stop flowing. Remember the water on the back side of the faucet the water in the pipes is still under pressure. Just like the voltage is still in the wire before a switch. The fountain of water represents power. Power is calculated by multiplying voltage x current (amps).
Did you know that a static shock can easily be 35,000 volts. That shock did't hurt you because there were hardly any amps behind the shock. If that shock had only 1 amp there would be a lot less people in this world.
Calculating Volts, amps, Ohms, and Power
Activity / Lesson
The following activities are to be used under the supervision of a technology instructor. Improper wiring can result in a direct short that can overheat wires. This can lead to burns or fire. Please proceed under close supervision.
|
Vocabulary
|
Electrical symbols used in this activity
|
Activity / Lesson 1 (Create a simple circuit)
The first circuit you will make is a simple circuit containing the battery pack, one light and two wires. Simply use the wires with alligator clips to make the circuit between the terminals (nails). This activity will verify the the batteries are in good working condition. The light should light up nice and bright when you do this if it does not you need to troubleshoot the circuit. Make sure you followed the diagram exactly. Make sure the light bulb is screwed in all the way. Wiggle the alligator clips to see if they are making a good connection. If none of this works take it to your teacher for help. |
Activity / Lesson 2 (Conductor vs Insulator)
In this activity you explore the electrical properties of certain materials. You will need to add one wire to the circuit that you just made. Notice the question mark in the electrical schematic to the right. This is where you will insert the list of materials below one at a time. If the light bulb lights up it means that electricity was able to pass through it making it a conductor. If the light bulb does not light up it means that it is an insulator. Please note which materials are insulators and which are conductors. |
Questions for activity 2
|
Activity / Lesson 3 (Series Circuit)
You will need to rewire your activity board to match the electrical schematic to the right. You will be creating a series circuit. A series circuit is a circuit that only allows the electrons to flow through a single path. Try this, place your finger on one side of the battery and follow the electrical path. You will see that there is only one way for the electrons to flow. Before changing the circuit for the next activity take a mental note of the brightness of the lights. Questions for activity 3
|
Activity /Lesson 4 (Series Circuit continued)
Add two more lights to your series circuit be following the electrical schematic to your right. If the last wire is not long enough to reach across the board simple clip two wires together. Make sure that the exposed alligator clip does not come in contact with any other conductors (exposed wires or nails) Questions for Activity 4
|
Activity / Lesson 5 (Parallel Circuits)
Rewire your activity board to match the electrical schematic to the right. Both lights should be lit if done properly. You have just wired a parallel circuit. A parallel circuit is a circuit that has multiple pathways for the electrons to flow. Place your finger at one end of the battery and follow the circuit. You will see that there is more then just one path for the electrons to take to get back to the other end of the battery. Questions for Activity 5
|
Activity / Lesson 6 (Parallel Circuits Continued)
Rewire your activity board to match the electrical schematic to the right. You are simple adding two more lights to activity 5. You may do this with the lights on. While attaching the wires note any changes in the brightness of the lights. Question for Activity 5
|
Activity / Lesson 7 (Series and Parallel Circuits)
Rewire your activity board to match the electrical schematic to the right. Again if the wire going from light d back to the battery pack isn't long enough connect two wires together, and make sure the exposed alligator clip does not come in contact with any other conductor. Questions for Activity 7 Which lights are brighter? Why? Which lights are dimmer? why? If you only unscrew light bulb A what happens to the rest of the bulbs? Why? Will the same happen with light bulb B? Why? If you only unscrew light bulb C what happens to the rest of the bulbs? Why? |