Conclusion Questions

Discuss questions like the following:

Explanation of series and parallel circuits.
Series circuits have two (or more) bulbs on the same one wire. Therefore
the same current flows through all the components.
Parallel circuits on the other hand have a split in the wire where two (or
more) separate bulbs run parallel to each other, then the wires come back
together on the other side. This way allows the current to flow through
different paths, unlike the series.

Which parts of your circuit have constant voltage?
In a parallel circuit, there is constant voltage through each component
In a series circuit, the voltage of each component decreases as more
components are added. Two bulbs in series will shine brighter than three
bulbs for example.

Which parts of the circuit have constant current?
In a parallel circuit, as resistance decreases, current increases. When the
components of a parallel circuit are added, the components in parallel
added together will equal the same value as the current before or after
the parallel in the same circuit.
In a series circuit, the current is the same through each component.

If one device fails in a series circuit, what happens?
If one component of a series circuit fails it is known as a break in the
circuit and therefore the entire circuit will not work. All components of a
series must be working in order for the circuit to function properly.

Why are your household appliances connected in parallel?
Household appliances are connected in parallel so you can use one
appliance at a time. They dont all need to be on or off at the same time.
For example, you dont always need to have your blender on in order for
you television to work.

Why does a switch have to be placed in series with a light bulb?
A switch needs to be placed in series with a light bulb because it serves
as a way to control the light (turn it on and off). The switch acts as a break
in the circuit to turn it off and to turn it on we close the switch creating a
closed circuit so the current can flow through and therefore turn the bulb
on.

What happens to the total current when you add more devices to the
circuit?
In a series, the current is always the same throughout the different
components. However in a parallel circuit, the total current is the sum of
the currents through the individual components, so by adding more
components, the current through each component will decrease.

Does the circuit "use up" current?
Current does not get used up in neither parallel nor series circuits.

If you add more light bulbs in series, what happens to the brightness of
the light bulbs?
The more bulbs you add, the less bright the bulbs in series are because
two light bulbs have more resistance than 1 light bulb, so less current will
flow. For example, two bulbs in series will shine brighter than two bulbs in
parallel.

What happens in a short circuit?
A short circuit happens when there is a low resistance in the electrical
path which will lead to a large increase of current. This high current will
find the easiest way to break the circuit causing a burn out.

Why is insulation needed for wires?
Insulation is needed for wires because it acts as a boundary for the
current in the given circuit. If the wires come in contact with another
conductor, it will change the original path. It also makes sure the wires to
not burn or cause any other damage.

Does current take the path of least resistance?
Yes, the current always takes the path of least resistance. This is seen in
a parallel circuit.

How does a dimmer switch work?
A dimmer switch works by cutting of the some of the voltage passing
through the wire. The more electricity is cut off, the dimmer the lights get
because there is less power.

How does a three-way switch work?
Three-way switches work by having a circuit set up with the wire parallel
to each other with switches on both ends. Lets say we have 2 switches
(A and B). Each switch has 3 prongs and we connect each prong of
switch A with the same prong of switch B. On one of the switches (say A)
we attach a wire connected to the lightbulb then to the battery, then we
connect the another prong of switch A to the battery. When the light is off
there is a break in the circuit at both the switches. If switch A is turned on
the current can flow from one side of switch A to the other then to the light
bulb. If Switch A is turned off the current will travel to switch B and back to
the other side of switch B and to the light bulb. This is why you can turn
the light bulb on and off from either switch A or switch B. This is
demonstrated in many houses where you can control a light with more
than one switch.

In a series circuit, how does the resistance change as you add more
resistors in series?
In a series circuit when you add more resistors in series you are
increasing the resistance. When resistors are added the total current is
decreased.

In a parallel circuit, how does the resistance change as you add more
resistors in parallel?
In a parallel circuit there are multiple paths the current can flow through.
Therefore the current at different points in a circuit are not always the
same. Resistors in parallel do have a common voltage however.

Why are circuit diagrams useful?
They can help you to see the different components in a circuit. Especially
when circuits are all intertwined, it can be difficult to see everything
clearly. Circuit diagrams allow you to understand each component of a
circuit.
The diagram also aided us in doing our calculations because you can
easily see what components are in each room.

What is the purpose of connecting a fuse or circuit breaker in series along
a the supply line?
A circuit breaker is a switch that protects a circuit from damage due to
overload or a short circuit. A fuse can be used once, then must be
replaced as a fuse will break if there is too much current going through a
circuit. The fuse will break, therefore causing a break in the circuit, so the
current running through it will stop. Both prevent the circuit from heating
up to much as causing problems, for example a fire.