Series Circuits
In a simple series circuit, why does a bulb light when you close the switch?
Closing the switch completes the circuit and allows the energy to flow through.
Why are electrical wires usually covered with a layer of plastic?
To help electricity flow through the wire and so the wire does not catch on fire.
What is the definition of an electrical conductor?
Material that lets electricity pass through
The heat energy from the bulb heats up the air surrounding the bulb.
Transfer or Transformation? Why?
Energy Transfer- The energy type is moving from one location to another, and the energy type remains the same type of energy.
What does resistance mean?
Opposition of the flow of electrons
In which circuit will the bulb or bulbs glow brightest?
A. a simple circuit with one bulb and one battery
B. a simple circuit with two bulbs and one battery
C. a simple circuit with one bulb and two batteries
B. a simple circuit with two bulbs and one battery
Why is electrical wiring usually made from copper?
Copper conducts electricity.
Give TWO examples of electrical conductors.
Copper, aluminum, steel, gold, sea water...
Chemical energy in the battery being converted into electricity in a closed circuit.
Transfer or Transformation? Why?
Energy Transformation- Chemical energy is turned into electricity, so one type of energy is becoming another type of energy.
As resistors are added in series to a circuit, the total resistance will...
Increase
Imagine a circuit with a 1.5V battery and one bulb. Imagine a smaller circuit with a 3V battery and 2 bulbs. Which one has brighter bulbs?
The circuit with 3V battery and two bulbs
What is the effect of changing the wire in a circuit from a straight thick wire to a straight thin wire?
The bulb becomes brighter
Which of the following materials is an electrical insulator?
A. aluminum
B. gold
C. rubber
C. rubber
The light energy from the bulb travels throughout the room.
Transfer or Transformation? Why?
Energy Transfer- The energy type is moving from one location to another, and the energy type remains the same type of energy.
What do resistors do in a circuit?
-Limit the amount of current in parts of the circuit
-Control the amount of voltage provided to parts of a circuit
Imagine a simple series circuit with one 1.5V battery and one bulb. When the 1.5V battery is replaced with a 3V battery...
The bulb gets brighter
What happens to resistance when shorter wires vs. longer wires are used?
Resistance decreases when shorter wires are used.
Resistance increases when longer wires are used.
What is the definition of an electrical insulator?
A material that does NOT let electricity pass through.
Electricity flowing through the wires of the circuit
Transfer or Transformation? Why?
Energy Transfer- The energy type is moving from one location to another, and the energy type remains the same type of energy.
An ammeter is a device used to measure...
Current
What is a problem with using a series circuit?
If one goes out, they all go out!
What is a device that may have different resistors inside? What makes you think it may have different resistors?
What happens to resistance when thicker wires vs. thinner wires are used?
Resistance decreases when thicker wires are used but resistance increases when thin wires are used.
Pretend you switched out a lightbulb for a buzzer. Explain at least one energy transformation that takes place.
-The chemical energy stored in the battery is transformed into electricity in a closed circuit. Electricity moves through the wires.
-The electricity moving in the wires becomes (transforms into) sound energy at the buzzer/noise maker.
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data? Provide ONE example of each.
Qualitative: describes the object
Quantitative: uses numbers to describe