Circuit Components
Four Parts of a Circuit
Polarity
Series vs. Parallel Circuits
Circuit Challenge
100

This component limits the flow of electric current.

What is a Resistor

100

This part supplies electrical energy to the circuit.

What is a Power Source

100


This term describes the positive and negative orientation of a component or power source.

What is polarity

100


This type of circuit has only one path for current.

What is series

100


This adjustable component is also called a variable resistor.

What is potentiometer

200

This component produces light when current flows through it in the correct direction.

What is a LED

200

These carry electric current between components.

What are paths (wires)

200

These two symbols identify the electrical terminals of a battery.

What is positive and negative

200

This type of circuit has multiple paths for current.

What is Paralell

200

This is the energy-using part of a circuit, such as a motor or LED.

What is load

300

This component stores electrical energy and releases it later.

What is a Capacitor

300

This part uses electrical energy to do work.

What is a load

300

On a typical through-hole LED, this longer leg is the positive terminal.

Anode

300

In this type of circuit, one broken component can stop current through the entire circuit

What is series

300

This component is commonly connected in series with an LED to protect it from too much current.

What is a resistor

400

This component converts electrical energy into movement.

What is a Motor

400


This part opens or closes a circuit to control current.

What is a switch

400

On a typical through-hole LED, this shorter leg is the negative terminal.

What is a cathode

400

In this type of circuit, other branches can continue working when one branch breaks.

What is Parallel

400


This type of circuit would be better for two lights that need to operate independently

What is parallel

500

This component can act as an electronic switch

What is a transistor

500


A circuit needs this kind of path for current to flow continuously.

What is a complete or closed path

500


An LED connected backward in a simple DC circuit will usually do this.

Do nothing, not light up

500

In a parallel circuit, this electrical quantity is the same across each branch.

What is voltage

500

You build a circuit with a battery, switch, resistor, and LED. When you close the switch, the LED does not light up. You discover that the LED is connected backward. What is the problem, and how would you fix it?

The LED has incorrect polarity. Reverse the LED so its positive side (anode) and negative side (cathode) are connected in the correct direction.

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