Circuit Basics
This is a complete pathway through which electricity can flow.
What is a circuit?
This term describes the flow of electric charge through a circuit.
What is current?
A material that allows electric charge to move through it easily is called this.
In this type of circuit, all loads are connected along one pathway.
What is a series circuit?
A region around a magnet where magnetic forces can act is called this.
What is a magnetic field?
This circuit component provides the electrical energy needed to move charge through a circuit.
What is a battery source?
A current is measured using this unit, abbreviated A.
What is an ampere (amp)?
Rubber is commonly used around electrical wires because it is this type of material.
What is an insulator?
In this type of circuit, electric current has multiple pathways it can follow.
What is a parallel circuit?
A magnet created by electric current flowing through a coil of wire is called this.
What is an electromagnet?
A light bulb is an example of this circuit component because it transforms electrical energy into other forms of energy.
What is a load?
This electrical quantity is measured in volts and can be thought of as the "push" that moves charge through a circuit.
What is voltage?
What are conductors?
Three bulbs are connected in a series circuit. One bulb is removed. Predict what happens to the other two bulbs.
They go out because the circuit is broken.
Wrapping more coils of wire around an iron nail generally causes this change to an electromagnet.
It becomes stronger.
When this device is opened, it breaks the pathway and stops the flow of current.
What is a switch?
This property makes it more difficult for electric charge to flow through a material.
What is resistance?
Wood, cardboard, rubber and cloth generally belong to this electrical category.
What are insulators?
Three bulbs are connected in parallel. One bulb burns out. Predict what happens to the other two.
They remain lit.
Increasing the distance between two magnets generally cause the magnetic force between them to do this.
Decrease/Become Weaker.
A battery, wires and bulb are connected, but the bulb does not light because there is a gap in the pathway. What type of circuit is it?
What is an open circuit?
Two circuits have the same voltage, but circuit A has greater resistance than circuit B. Which circuit would generally have the greater current?
What is circuit B?
Electrical cords contain conducting metal surrounded by insulating material. Explain why both materials are necessary.
Metals conduct electricity. Insulator prevents the wrong flow of electricity.
Most household electrical systems use this type of circuit so that one device can be turned off without shutting off every other device.
What is a parallel circuit?
A student builds an electromagnet and wants it to pick up more paper clips. Name two changes the student could make to increase its strength.
Add more wire coils. Increase the electric current.