CIRCUITS

*What is a circuit?

• A circuit is a path or line through which an electrical current flows. The path may be  closed (joined at both ends), making it a loop. A closed circuit makes electrical current flow possible. It may also be an open circuit where the electron flow is cut short because the path is broken. An open circuit does not allow electrical current to flow.

*What are the elements of a circuit?

• Battery: is a source of energy which provides a push - a voltage - of energy to get the  current flowing in the circuit.

• Wires: is used to carry the flow of electrons. Metal wire is a very good conductor.

• Switches: is any device used to interrupt the flow of electrons in a circuit.

• Motor: is an electrical machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.

• Lamps: is used to determine whether or not electricity is flowing. 

• Leds: a type of lamp.

• Resistor: is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element.

*Series and parallel circuits? 

• Components of an electrical circuit or electronic circuit can be connected in many different ways. The two simplest of these are called series and parallel and occur frequently. Components connected in series are connected along a single path, so the same current flows through all of the components. Components connected in parallel are connected along multiple paths, so the same voltage is applied to each component.

*Mixed circuits?

• A third type of circuit involves the dual use of series and parallel connections in a circuit; such circuits are referred to as compound circuits or combination circuits. The circuit depicted at the right is an example of the use of both series and parallel connections within the same circuit.