Tomas Jr. F. electric circuits

Introduction

Electric circuit, path for transmitting electric current. An electric circuit includes a device that gives energy to the charged particles constituting the current, such as a battery or a generator; devices that use current, such as lamps, electric motor, or computers; and the connecting wires or transmission lines. Two of the basic laws that mathematically describe the performance of electric circuits are Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's rules.

Electric circuits are classified in several ways. A direct current circuit carries current that flows only in one direction. An alternating current circuit carries current that pulsates back and forth many times each second, as in most household circuits. A series circuit comprises a path along which the whole current flows through each component. A parallel circuit comprises branches so that the current divides and only part of it flows through any branch. The voltage, or potential difference, across each branch of a parallel circuit is the same, but the currents may vary. In a home electrical circuit, for instance, the same voltage is applied across each light or appliance, but each of these loads draws a different amount of current, according to its power requirements. A number of similar batteries connected in parallel provides greater current than a single battery, but the voltage is the same as for a single battery. .

 

 

Task

1. students will be able to make their own simple electrical circuits after showing the procedures

2. students will be able to identify the differences of series and parallel circuits

Process

This are the steps in making a simple circuits

 

 

Building a Simple Circuit with a Battery

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    1

    Gather the necessary materials. To build a simple circuit, you will need a power source, 2 insulated wires, a light bulb, and a light bulb holder. A power source can be any type of battery or battery pack. The rest of the materials can be found at your local hardware store.

    • When choosing a light bulb, find one that is around 15-25 volts so a single battery can power them.
    • To simplify the wire attachment process, use a battery snap with wires pre-attached and a 9-volt battery or battery pack.

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    2

    Strip the ends of the insulated wires. In order for your circuit to work properly, the wires need to be totally exposed so you must strip the ends. Using wire strippers, remove about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the insulation from the ends of each wire.

    • If you don’t have wire strippers, you can carefully use scissors to cut off the insulation.
    • Be careful not to cut all the way through the wire.

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    3

    Install batteries into the battery pack. Depending on the type of batteries you are using, you may be able to skip this step. If you are using multiple batteries, you will need a power pack to hold the batteries. Push each battery in by the side taking care to put the positive and negative ends in the correct orientation.

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    4

    Attach your wires to the battery pack. The wires will be conducting your electric current from the batteries to the light bulb. The easiest way to attach the wires is to use electrical tape. Attach the end of one wire to one side of the battery, making sure that the wire maintains contact with the metal of the battery. Repeat with the other wire on the other side of the battery.

    • Alternatively, if you are using a battery snap, snap the end onto the end of a 9-volt battery or the battery pack.
    • Use caution while building your circuit. Although unlikely, it is possible to get a very small shock if you touch the wire directly while attached to the battery. You can avoid this by only touching the insulated part of the wire or removing the batteries until you install the light bulb.

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    5

    Fasten the other end of the wire to the metal screw of the bulb holder. Take the exposed metal end of each wire and bend it into a U-shape.[3] Loosen each screw on the light bulb holder just enough to slip the U-shape of the wire around the screw. Each wire will be attached to its own screw. Tighten the screw, ensuring that the metal of the wires remains in contact with the screw.

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    6

    Test your circuit. Screw the light bulb into its holder until it is tight. If your circuit is hooked up properly, the bulb should light up when fully screwed into its socket.

    • Light bulbs can heat up quickly so be careful when installing and removing the bulb.
    • If the bulb doesn’t light, check to make sure the wires are touching the ends of the battery and in contact with the metal of the screws.

 

 

Building a Parallel Circuit with Wires and a Switch

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    1

    Choose this method for a slightly advanced project. While creating a parallel circuit is not complicated, this method requires you to use wire and a switch; it may be suited for slightly older students.

    • For example, this method will require you to strip wires, but if you lack the necessary tools for this or don't want young ones performing this task, you may prefer to read the method explained above.

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    2

    Gather the main components of a parallel circuit. You don't need much to complete this project: You need a power source, a conducting material, at least 2 loads (the items which use electricity), and a switch.

    • Use a 9-volt battery as the power source.
    • You'll be using insulated wire as your conducting material. Any kind will work, but copper-wire should be easy to find.
    • You'll be cutting the wire into several pieces, so make sure you have plenty (30–40 inches (76–102 cm) should do it).
    • For the load, use light bulbs or flashlight bulbs.
    • You should be able to find a switch (as well as all of the other materials) at any hardware or home improvement store.

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    3

    Prepare your wires. The wire is your conducting material, which will create the circuits between the power source and your leads.

    • Cut the wire into five pieces (between 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) will be fine).
    • Carefully remove approximately 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of the insulation from both ends of all your wire pieces.
    • Wire strippers are the best tool for removing insulation, but if you don't have these, scissors or wire-cutters will work; just be very careful not to damage the wires.

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    4

    Connect the first lightbulb to the battery. Attach 1 of the wires to the positive terminal of the battery and wind the other end around the left side of 1 of the lightbulbs.

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    Begin to connect the switch to the battery. Take a separate piece of wire and connect it to the negative terminal of the battery. Take the other end of the wire and connect it to the switch.

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    Connect the switch to the first lightbulb. Using yet another piece of wire, connect it first to the switch, and then wind it around the right side of the first lightbulb.

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    Connect the second lightbulb. Take your fourth piece of wire and wind it around the left side of the first lightbulb, and then wind the other end around the left side of the second lightbulb.

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    Complete the parallel circuit. Using your remaining piece of wire, wrap 1 end around the right side of the first lightbulb, and the other end around the right side of the second lightbulb.

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    Turn on the switch. Flip the switch, and you should see both bulbs light up. Congratulations—you successfully built a parallel circuit!

Evaluation

1. Which circuit produces brighter bulb?Why?

2. Which electrical circuit is most preferable to use in household and establishment?Why?

3. Give 5 examples of parallel and series connection.

Conclusion

Parallel circuits are brighter than in series circuit. In parallel circuits if one bulb is busted other bulbs will still light while in series circuit the bulbs will no longer light when one bulb is busted.

The parallel circuit has very different characteristics than a series circuit. For one, the total resistance of a Parallel Circuit is NOT equal to the sum of the resistors (like in a series circuit). The total resistance in a parallel circuit is always less than any of the branch resistances. Adding more parallel resistances to the paths causes the total resistance in the circuit to decrease. As you add more and more branches to the circuit the total current will increase because Ohm's Law states that the lower the resistance, the higher the current

Credits

Teacher Page

Tomas, Freddie Jr. G