To reach the other end and complete the circuit, each car must divide its money (energy) so that each toll can be paid. The toll being paid is equivalent to the energy lost in passing through the resistor. of cars) is the same over each bridge, i.e. In a series circuit the resistors lay one after the other. The bridges are like resistors in a circuit. In a series circuit of three resistors, we can imagine the scene looks a bit like the diagram shown below: The payment of the toll is like the charges losing their energy as they pass through a resistor. When the flow of cars, equivalent to the electric current in a circuit, reaches the bridge they must slow down, pay their toll and then cross the bridge. The bridges represent the resistors in an electric circuit while the multi-lane road represents a conducting lead. At each bridge there is a toll collector who must be paid before you can cross the bridge and proceed. Imagine a really wide, multi-lane road that narrows each time it approaches a bridge. Picture this model that might help you to understand electrical circuits and electricity flow… You can download this Java app from the Interactive learning guide. You should explore these variables using the interactive app Resistance in a wire. The resistance of a resistor is affected by a number of variables. The charges flowing in this type of circuit reach the junction or splitting point in the wires and can then flow along each path. the current can split to flow along two or more parallel paths. This type of connection allows different paths for the current to flow along, i.e. There is only one path for the charged electrons to take in a series circuit. The charge flowing (electric current) in the circuit must flow through each resistor one after the other. Also the bulbs are much brighter in this arrangement.The components of an electrical circuit can be attached in one of two forms,Īs the name suggests these components are attached one after the other in a continuous chain which starts and ends at a power source. *Note modern Christmas tree lights tend to be parallel circuits because of the clear advantage that if one bulb stops working the rest keep going. If one bulb has a greater '''resistance''' than the other, a larger amount of current will take the path that is least resistive. If the bulbs are identical, the current in each branch will split in half as it travel down each branch. The total current coming out of the battery and returning to the battery will be the same. The current will split as it travels down the different pathways, but ultimately joins back together. However, a parallel circuit offers different pathways the electrons can take. If one bulb blows or is removed the circuit is still complete and all the remaining bulbs keep workingĬurrent is never used up. In this case the bulbs are brighter than in the series circuit above The current will be the same at all points.Ī parallel circuit has electrical devices / components connected around each other (piggy-backing each other) The current never changes in a series circuit because the electrons are never used up they just carry the energy through the circuit. If one bulb blows or is removed the circuit is broken / no longer complete and all the bulbs will stop working In this case the bulbs are dimmer than in the parallel circuit below A series circuit has electrical devices / components connected in a row (one after the other).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |