Parts of a Circuit
A student is constructing an electrical circuit. Which of the following can provide energy for the circuit?
A. Battery; B. Wire; C. Light bulb; D. Buzzer
Answer: A. Battery
Some students test a plastic spoon as a connector in an electrical circuit. Electricity does not flow in the circuit. Plastic is most likely... A. a load. B. an energy source C. a conductor D. an insulator
D. an insulator
Give an example of a career that deals with electricity/circuits.
Ex.: Electrical engineer
What is the role of a fuse in an electric circuit?
If too much current flows through the circuit, the fuse will melt and open the circuit.
Which material will best conduct electricity? A. plastic; B. rubber; C. wood; D. silver
D. silver
What are some solutions that could prevent large birds from being electrocuted on power lines?
Ex.: Insulating power lines, spreading power lines out, burying power lines
Name 3 examples of components of an electrical circuit.
Wire, battery, resistor, switch, LED, light bulb, fuse, etc.
Do you think Christmas lights are an example of a series circuit or a parallel circuit? Why do you think that?
They are an example of a series circuit because if one of the bulbs burns out the entire strand will not light up.
If you connect the wires of an electric circuit to a piece of jewelry why would the lightbulb in the circuit still turn on?
The jewelry is made of something that can conduct electricity.
Around how many birds are electrocuted by power lines every year?
1 million
Explain how a switch works in an electrical circuit.
When the switch is on the circuit is closed so electricity can flow. When the switch is off the circuit is open so electricty cannot flow.
If all the loads of a robot were wired in a series circuit, what would happen if the one of the lightbulb's in the robot burned out?
All the loads of the robot would not work because the electricity only has one path to follow in a series circuit.
Ms. Heiner wants to make an electric circuit but she is out of copper wire. What are 3 other household items that she could use in place of wire to carry the electricity to the load?
silverware, metal necklaces, steel wool, keys, aluminum foil, etc.
What is the unit that we use to measure the amount of energy stored in a battery?
Volts
Where are the load/output, wires, and energy source/input located in a lamp?
The load is the lightbulb, the wires are located in the electrical cord and inside the lamp, and the energy source is the electrical outlet which leads all the way to a power plant.
Come to the board and draw a diagram of a parallel circuit.
To be determined by Ms. Heiner
Why do electricians use wire that is coated in plastic when they are making new circuits?
Wire can be dangerous to handle and can shock humans if they handle it when the circuit is on. The plastic coating helps to protect the electricians and us!
What would happen if Ms. Heiner was standing on the ground and she touched a power line and why?
The electricity will travel through her body to the ground and she will probably be electrocuted. The ground is full of conductive things, so the electricity wants to travel to it.