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Digital Inquiry - Circuits

Last updated 7 months ago
13 questions

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.
1

What is hydro-electric power?

1

How does water help communities generate electrical energy for their homes and businesses?

1

What other forms of energy are produced from electricity?

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?
1

List two real-world examples of series circuits.

1

List two real-world examples of parallel circuits.

1

How do series and parallel circuits differ?

1

Why would you want to use a parallel circuit rather than a series circuit?

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.
1

What path does the current follow in a closed circuit?

1

What materials are necessary for a circuit to work?

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.
1

What materials do the teams use to build their circuits?

1

Why do they choose those materials?

1

Imagine that one of these door alarms is attached to your bedroom door.
What would be the strengths and limitations of its design? Can you think of a way to overcome the limitations?

11
________________ is made up of negatively charged particles called electrons. Electricity is found in circuits for things like phones and computers. ______________ is also an example of electricity. Electric circuits allow us to produce light, heat, sound and motion.

There are two types of circuits: ___________ and _____________ . In a series circuit, the electric current only has ________ path to follow. This means if one part of the circuit breaks, the entire circuit goes out. In a parallel circuit, the current has _____________ pathways to follow. This means if one part of the circuit breaks, the rest of the circuit will continue working.

For a circuit to work, there are a few materials that are required. First, you need wires. These
can be made from any metal because metal is a ______________ . Silver, Copper, and Gold are all excellent conductors. Next, you need batteries which act as a _________________ . Lastly, you need a load. A _________ is the device you want to do the work. A lightbulb, a motor, and a buzzer are all examples of loads. When all these parts are connected, they make a closed circuit for the current to flow in. Opening the circuit breaks the flow of electricity and the circuit stops working.

A _________ is a thin metal wire used in circuits. Fuses protect the more expensive parts of a circuit by taking on more of the heat generated by the electricity. If the circuit is overloaded, the fuse will overheat and break the circuit, stopping the flow of electricity.

Electricity has allowed us to engineer and _____________ in many ways. We are surrounded by technology that depends on circuits to work.
Other Answer Choices:
one
series
multiple
conductor
power source
load
innovate
Lightning
parallel
fuse
Electricity