VIDEO: ELECTRICITY

Click the link to watch a video about the

basics of electricity.

In this video segment from IdahoPTV's Science Trek you follow electricity from its generation at a hydroelectric plant to your home, while learning some of the vocabulary about electricity. Discover some other sources of electricity, and why it is so dangerous.

READ: ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

As you read the text, think about how an electric current flows through series and parallel circuits.

Parallel vs. Series Circuits: How Electricity Takes Different Paths

Have you ever wondered how the lights in your home work? Or why your Christmas tree lights sometimes act differently from the lights in your bedroom? The answer lies in understanding two types of electrical circuits: series circuits and parallel circuits. Let's explore how these circuits work and where we find them in our daily lives!

Series Circuits: Following a Single Path

Imagine you're in a line at the water park, waiting for a water slide. Everyone has to go through the same path, one after another. This is exactly how a series circuit works! In a series circuit, electricity flows along one path, passing through each device (like lights or batteries) one after another.

Real-Life Examples of Series Circuits:

• Old-style Christmas tree lights (the kind where if one bulb burns out, they all go dark)

• Battery-powered flashlights

• Some string lights used for decoration

How Series Circuits Work:

• Electricity flows through one continuous path

• All components share the same current

• If one part breaks, the whole circuit stops working

Parallel Circuits: Taking Multiple Paths

Now imagine you're at a grocery store with many checkout lines. Shoppers can choose different lines to pay for their items. This is similar to how parallel circuits work! In parallel circuits, electricity can flow through multiple paths at the same time.

Real-Life Examples of Parallel Circuits:

• The electrical wiring in your home

• Power strips and surge protectors

• Modern Christmas tree lights

• The electrical outlets in your classroom

How Parallel Circuits Work:

• Electricity can flow through many different paths

• Each device gets the same voltage

• If one device fails, the others keep working

Why Choose Parallel Circuits?

There's a reason most buildings use parallel circuits instead of series circuits. Here's why:

1. Independence: If your bedroom light burns out, the kitchen lights still work! Each device operates independently.

2. Consistent Power: Every device gets the same amount of electrical power, so your TV doesn't get dimmer when you turn on the microwave.

3. Convenience: You can turn devices on and off without affecting other devices in the circuit.

4. Safety: If one part of the circuit has a problem, other parts can still work, which is important in buildings and cars.

Fun Fact!

Your school probably uses parallel circuits. That's why when someone plugs in a computer in one classroom, it doesn't affect the lights in another classroom!

Think About It

The next time you turn on a light at home, remember that it's working because of a parallel circuit. And when you see old holiday decorations where one broken bulb makes the whole string go dark, you'll know that's a series circuit at work!

Now you know why electricians choose parallel circuits for most buildings – they're safer, more convenient, and more reliable than series circuits. Pretty cool, right?

TEXT: CIRCUITS

An electric circuit is a pathway for the flow (movement) of electricity. To light an LED, you need several things: a power source, a path for the flow of electricity, and the LED.

The power source can be a 9-volt battery. A copper wire is an excellent conductor of electricity for the pathway. A conductor must allow electricity to flow freely. The LED is called the load in this circuit. A load, like the load of books you might carry, is what uses the energy in the circuit.

The power source provides electricity to flow (move) through the circuit. As the electric flow reaches the LED, the LED lights up. That’s not the end of the circuit. The electricity must continue to flow back to the battery power source.

The complete pathway from the positive side of the battery and back to the negative side is a closed circuit. If there is a break anywhere along the path, electricity will not flow. The incomplete circuit with a break in it, like an open switch, is called an open circuit.

VIDEO: DESIGNING CIRCUITS

Click the link to watch the 4-minute video and learn about how we can think like engineers and use circuits in innovative ways.

Electrical circuits are used in a wide variety of technological innovations, from television sets to windshield wipers, escalators to telephones. In this video segment adapted from ZOOM, cast members use electrical circuits to create door alarms out of a variety of materials. This resource is useful for introducing components of Engineering Design (ETS) from the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to grade 3-8 students.