Download Phet - Circuit Builder Simulation Worksheet

SNC 1D
Circuit Builder Simulation Worksheet
Name: _____________________
Date: _______________________
Background Information:
Current electricity is electricity in which charges moves along a path. By building a complete circuit
we can make sure that the three important factors above are satisfied which allows charges to move
freely through the circuit. To create a circuit there are 4 components:
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________
Purpose of this Computer Simulation:
The purpose of this computer simulation is to become familiar with the components of a circuit and
how to build circuits. Follow the instructions carefully and answer the questions within the instructions
as you go using the space provided.
Instructions:
PART 1-How to access the Circuit Builder Simulation
1. Go to our class website. Click on the link “Circuit Construction Phet AC +DC” on the right side
of the page under “Links”.
2. Click “Run Now”
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SNC 1D
Circuit Builder Simulation Worksheet
PART 2- Using the Circuit Builder Simulation
1. Create a complete circuit with 1 battery, 1 light bulb, 1 switch, and wires connecting them in a
complete loop. Close the switch.
 What in the simulation tells you that electricity is flowing through the circuit?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. Open the switch. Right click on the light bulb junctions to remove it from the circuit and replace
it with the eraser from the “Grab Bag”. Close the switch.
 Why does the charge not flow around the circuit? (*hint- think about when we tested
conductors or insulators)
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Open the switch. Remove the battery by “right clicking on the icon” and reconnect the wire.
Close the switch.
 What happens in the circuit?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Open the switch. Remove the eraser and reconnect the light bulb. Reconnect the battery but in
the opposite way (ie. Flipped). Close the switch.
 What happens to the direction of the current?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Open the switch. Remove the light bulb. Reconnect the wire. Close the switch.
 What happens in the circuit and why?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
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SNC 1D
Circuit Builder Simulation Worksheet
6. Open the switch. Replace the battery with the AC power source. Close the switch.
 What do you notice changes about the circuit with the AC power source?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
7. Open the switch. Remove the AC icon and return the battery to the circuit. “Right click” on the
battery and change its voltage to 18 V. Close the switch.
 What do you notice about the brightness of the bulb when the voltage is increased?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
8. Open the switch. “Right click” on the light bulb and change its resistance to 20 Ohm’s. Close
the switch.
 What do you notice about the current of the circuit when the resistance is increased?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
9. Select the Voltmeter in the right margin. Determine the voltage of the battery by touching the
wire on either side of the battery.

Record the voltage of the battery V= ________________V
Determine the voltage of the light bulb by touching the wire on either side of the light bulb.

Record the voltage of the battery V= ________________V

Complete the following statement: The voltage across the battery and the voltage across
the light bulb are _______________________.
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SNC 1D
Circuit Builder Simulation Worksheet
10. Select the non-contact ammeter in the right margin. Place the ammeter over any spot on the
wire.
 Record the current for Spot 1 I= _____________________A
Place the ammeter over a second spot on the wire.

Record the current for Spot 1 I= _____________________A
Place the ammeter over a third spot on the wire.

Record the current for Spot 1 I= _____________________A

Complete the following statement: The current at all of the points in the circuit is
___________________________________.
Challenges (if you finish early)
1. Build a circuit with two light bulbs and a switch
2. Build a circuit with two branches- place a light bulb on the first branch and a resistor on the
second branch
3. Build a circuit with an item from the grab bag inserted where the light bulb should bedetermine what materials are conductors and what materials are insulators
4. Build a circuit with two branches and a switch which controls the current flowing through one
light bulb but not the other
5. Build a circuit with two branches- place one light bulb on the first branch and two light bulbs on
the second branch
If you still have extra time- open the Electric Field Hockey Simulation and see how many tries it takes
you to score a goal. (turn on the trace a field options to help you.)
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