ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

ELECTRIC CIRCUITSWHAT IS AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT?

• Any path along which electrons can flow

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

• Most circuits have more than one device that receives electrical energy

• These devices are commonly connected in two ways.• Series• Parallel

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT IN SERIES

• A circuit that is in series forms only one pathway for electron flow between terminals.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT (SERIES CONNECTION)

Interactive Question #1

What happens to the light bulbs when the switch is closed and current flows?

A)Current “piles up” at the first light bulb

B)Current exists almost immediately in all three light bulbs and they light up

C)None of the light bulbs light up

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT - SERIES Important characteristics of series circuits:• Only has one pathway to flow

• What does this mean?• Answer:

Current passing through each electrical device in the circuit is the same• Current through a series circuit is resisted by the resistance of

the 1st device, the 2nd device, the 3rd device, and so on until the current completes its path (i.e. back to the battery or potential difference)

• What does this mean for resistance in series?• Answer:

The total resistance to the current in the circuit is equal to the sum of the individual resistances.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT - SERIES

Important characteristics of series circuits (continued):

• The current in the circuit is numerically equal to the voltage supplied divided by the total resistance• I.E. - Ohm’s Law

• Ohm’s law applies separately to each device• The total voltage impressed across a series circuit

divides among the individual electric devices in the circuit.• I.E. The sum of the voltage drop across each device is

equal to the total voltage supplied by the source

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT - SERIES

Interactive Question #2• What is the main disadvantage of a series circuit?

Answer:If one device fails in a series circuit,

current through the whole circuit ceases , and none of the devices will work.

Interactive Question #3• What are some examples of series circuits?