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Name _________________
Date ______________
Class __________
17-4: Comparison of two Circuits
Description
Definition
How many
pathways for the
electric charges to
flow? Explain.
Type of current
through each bulb
What happens if
one bulb burns out
in the circuit? Why?
What happens to
the power as you
add more bulbs?
Common
Uses/Examples of
Pros (advantages)
Cons
(disadvantages)
Series Circuit
(pg. 496)
a circuit in which all parts are connected in a
single loop
Only one path for charges to follow, so
the charges have to move through each
part of the circuit
DC (one way)
Parallel Circuit (pg. 497)
a circuit in which loads are connected side
by side
Wired in parallel so there is more than
one path on which charges can travel.
AC (alternating)
If one light bulb burns out, there is a
break in the circuit. None of the light
bulbs in the circuit would light.
If one load is broken or missing, charges
will still run through the other branches.
So, the loads on those branches will keep
working.
If you add more light bulbs, the
resistance of the whole circuit would go
up and the current would drop.
Therefore, all of the bulbs would be
dimmer.
(pg. 496)
Each bulb glows at full brightness, the
bulbs do not use the same current, just
the same voltage from the battery.
Burglar alarms. If any part of the
circuit in a burglar alarm fails, there will be
no current in the system. The lack of
current signals that a problem exists, and
the alarm will sound.
Let’s you know when there is a problem in
the circuit.
When one thing on the circuit goes out,
everything goes out.
(Refrigerator, lamp, etc.)
Buildings, homes: each appliance has its
own current and/or switch
If one thing on the circuit blows out,
you can still use the other appliances
on the circuit.
?
Two wires, two sides
parallel to each other.
Diagram
Name _________________
Description
Definition
How many
pathways for the
electric charges to
flow? Explain.
Type of current
through each bulb
What happens if
one bulb burns out
in the circuit?
What happens to
the power as you
add more bulbs?
Common
Uses/Examples of
Pros (advantages)
Cons
(disadvantages)
Diagram
Date ______________
Class __________
Chapter 17-4 – Comparison of two Circuits
Series Circuit
Parallel Circuit