Intro to Electricity

Components of a Circuit SOURCE Power supply (in class) Battery Generator Wall plug

Components of a Circuit PATH OF ELECTRONS Usually a wire Made of a good conductor

Components of a Circuit WORK FOR THE ELECTRONS Any device that converts electrical energy to another form (eg. Heat, light, sound, etc.) Aka “a load” or “resistance”

Components of a Circuit A CONTROL Optional Device to turn on (close) or turn off (open) a circuit Usually a switch, fuse or breaker

Circuit Symbols Used to represent components of a circuit Simplifies and standardizes circuit drawings (languages)

Series Circuit 2 or more lights (loads) joined together in a straight line (like a train) Only 1 path for electrons If 1 bulb burns out, they all go out (old school Christmas lights – frustrating!) Can be overloaded easily - fire

Parallel Circuit 2 or more lights (loads) each joined to the power supply More than one path for electrons If 1 bulb burns out, the rest stay on (newer Christmas lights – yeah!) Safer way of wiring – used in homes

Short Circuit How is electricity like a student? It will always take the easiest path! can be made by building a circuit which does not have a load (nothing for electrons to do) All power returns to the source

Death by Short Circuit Some short circuits are created by human interference Eg. Getting a bagel out of a toaster using a knife – without unplugging it first! How perms were invented?