A circuit is a loop through which current flows. It can be 1. , if all its components are connected and the current flows, or open, if there is a 2. in the circuit and the flow of electricity is interrupted. Circuits are made up of a 3. of energy (battery, generator), a load, a wire or a 4. , and a switch. In a short circuit, the current takes a 5. direction. A circuit can be a series 6. , if there is one 7. for the current, or a 8. circuit if there is more than 9. path for the current.
8. Match each word with its definition.
Series circuitShort circuitSwitchLoadOpen circuitParallel circuitClosed circuitLoop
An electrical component that uses the energy in a circuit. →
A circuit component that opens or closes the circuit. →
A circuit in which there is a break so that current cannot flow. →
A circuit in which there is a complete path so that current can flow. →
A closed path through which current flows. →
A circuit in which the current has taken an unexpected direction. →
A circuit in which all the components are connected by a single path. →
A circuit in which each of the loads has its own path. →
9.1 Watch the video and answer the question: what is the only possible way for electricity to flow?aperta
Soluzione suggerita:The only possible way for electrons to flow is inside a closed circuit.
9.2 After watching the video in the previous exercise, answer the question: where do electrons flow in the first circuit shown?aperta
Soluzione suggerita:They flow through the wire and each of the bulbs, then they return to the battery.
9.3 After watching the video in Exercise 9.1, answer the question: what happens if one of the wires breaks?aperta
Soluzione suggerita:If one of the wires breaks, a gap occurs in the circuit and all the lights go out.
9.4 After watching the video in Exercise 9.1, answer the question: what is the first kind of circuit shown called?aperta
Soluzione suggerita:The first kind of circuit shown is called a “series circuit”.
9.5 After watching the video in Exercise 9.1, answer the question: what is the main problem in a circuit like the one in Exercise 9.4?aperta
Soluzione suggerita:The main problem in a series circuit is that if one light burns out and its filament breaks, it creates a gap in the circuit and all the other lights go out.
9.6 After watching the video in Exercise 9.1, answer the question: how can the problem identified in the previous exercise be solved?aperta
Soluzione suggerita:This problem can be solved by connecting the bulbs in a parallel circuit.
9.7 After watching the video in Exercise 9.1, answer the question: why is the parallel circuit so called?aperta
Soluzione suggerita:This type of circuit is called “parallel” because the wires connected to the light bulbs run parallel to each other, and bulbs are not in a row.
9.8 After watching the video in Exercise 9.1, answer the questions: what happens if a light in a parallel circuit is removed or burns out? why?aperta
Soluzione suggerita:If a light in a parallel circuit is removed or burns out, the other lights still work, because each light has its own complete path for electrons to flow.
10. Use the answers to the questions above to make a written report about series and parallel circuits.aperta
Soluzione suggerita:In a closed series circuit, electrons flow through the wire and each of the loads, then they return to the source. In a series circuit, if one of the wires breaks, a gap occurs in the circuit and all the loads stop working; so, the main problem in this type of circuit is that if one of the devices burns out, it creates a gap in the circuit and all the other devices go out. This problem can be solved by connecting loads in parallel. In this circuit the wires connected to the devices run parallel to each other, and bulbs are not in a row. If a device in a parallel circuit is removed or burns out, the others still work, because each one has its own complete path for electrons to flow.