1. Intro to Electricity

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

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

4. 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”

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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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?