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Electric Circuits Study Guide – Exam: Tuesday, March 20
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A circuit is a closed path, or loop, through which electricity flows.
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A circuit may be shown with either a drawing or a diagram that includes
symbols. The symbols represent the different parts of the circuit, but they
do not necessarily look like the circuit parts. For example, the symbol for
a battery does not look like a battery. A diagram of an electric circuit is
shown below.
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When charged particles flow through a circuit, the moving charges
produce an electric current.
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An electric circuit must run in a complete loop. When there is no
break in the loop, it is a closed circuit.
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When there is a break in the loop, it is an open circuit. Electricity
will not flow in an open circuit.
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In a series circuit, such as the one shown below, all parts of the
circuit are connected in a single loop.
An advantage of series circuits is that they are simpler than parallel
circuits.
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A disadvantage of series circuits:
o A break anywhere in the path stops the flow of electricity in the
entire circuit so any loads (like light bulbs or buzzers)
connected to the circuit turn off.
In parallel circuits, loads are connected to different branches. An example of a
parallel circuit is shown below.
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The advantage to this type of circuit is that if there is a break in one
branch, the other branches (and the loads attached to them) will still
work.
The disadvantage of a parallel circuit is that it requires more complex
wiring.
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conductor – a material through which electricity can pass
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insulator– a material through which an electric current will not pass
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filament - a fine wire that becomes hot and produces light when an electric
current passes through it.
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Semicondutor diode- A device that allows electricity to flow in only one
direction.
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Energy is the ability to do work.
Electrical Energy
Electrical energy comes from the movement of charged particles, such as
electrons. This kind of energy is also referred to as electricity. Electricity
travels through conducting materials, such as wires.
Electrical energy is very important because machines can change electricity
into many other forms of energy. Electrical energy can be converted into
heat, light, sound, or mechanical energy. For example, electrical energy can
be changed into:
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light energy when electrical energy causes the metal wire in a light
bulb to glow
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sound energy when electrical energy causes speakers in a radio to
vibrate
For extra practice go to Mr. G’s Webpage>Science>Electric Circuits and
try the following activities:
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Electric Circuits – Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Log in to Study Island>My Class>Mr. Galuska Science 11_12>Electric
Circuits Review. Try Game Mode and Flash Card Mode.