Parallel circuits worksheet ks2 science teacher made. A simulation is used to visualize electron flow through both circuit types. This series and parallel circuits worksheet for ks2 will save you time when teaching circuits by providing you with a teachermade pair of tasks that will test childrens knowledge of circuits and their components by identifying where to put the relevant batteries, motors and switches in a series and parallel sequence. Primaryschool children also learn about simple series electrical circuits.
Circuit components can be wired in series or parallel. Show your students how to measure voltage and current and compare the two types of circuits using this simple method sheet. Andersen contrasts series and parallel electrical circuits. Apr 25, 2014 advantages and disadvantages of series and parallel circuits 2. View the circuit as a schematic diagram, or switch to a lifelike view.
In this video on circuits,kids can learn differences between parallel circuits and. The series and parallel components must be identified for accurate analysis of the circuit. Series and parallel circuits investigation instruction. This ks3 science quiz challenges you on electrical circuits. Series and parallel circuits physics science homework. There is a power component like a battery or some other electric source that gives force to electrons to move.
We take the direction of conventional current to be from the positive terminal of the battery to the negative terminal in the battery. If one bulb burns out in a series circuit, the entire circuit is broken. With handy illustrations depicting the key elements, this series and. But if there is more than one appliance there are two different ways to circuit them. All about circuits java applet for ohms law this wonderful simulation shows a simple circuit containing one resistor with a voltmeter parallel to the resistor and an ammeter in series with the resistor. This video explains series and parallel circuits using a water analogy. After reading this section you will be able to do the following. If you think the bulb or bulbs will light, put a tick in the box.
Draw arrows to show the path the electrons move in this series circuit. Ohms law states that i vr, where i represents electrical current, v represents the voltage supplied by the source and r represents the total resistance opposition to the flow of electric current of the circuit. Series or parallel circuit an activity free flash animation for electricity learning interactive flash simulation to associate two dipoles bulbs lamps in series or parallel and see the difference between both. The sum of potential drops across each component is equal to the emf of the source. Electrical circuits this ks2 science quiz will take you on a tour of electrical circuits, looking at how they work and some of their parts such as batteries, switches and wires. The diagram shows a battery cell with wires connecting it to the bulb. If there is a break in the circuit, the electricity cannot pass. A complete interactive lesson on series and parallel circuits using an introductory video task, online circuit builders and plenary comparing the differences. Compare the differences between kinetic and potential energy. Current and voltage in a circuit ks3 physics bbc bitesize. Some circuits include both series and parallel parts. A simple series electrical circuit is a circuit for electricity to flow around as shown in the diagram.
The best example of series of circuit is a string of christmas lighting. Ks3 electrical circuits including voltage and wattage. This clip explains how current is the flow of electrons around a circuit and voltage is the energy released by electrons. The experiment demonstrated in this video involves creating water resistor. Electrons flow from the negative side of the battery around in a loop to the positive side. If the bedroom light burns out, you would not want the entire circuit to stop. Founded in 2002 by nobel laureate carl wieman, the phet interactive simulations project at the university of colorado boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. Series and parallel circuits gcserevision, physics. First contribution i have uploaded please let me know if its of any use.
Modelling circuits that are parallel or series, goes after a modelling lesson on circuits which is also on tes. In a series circuit, the current anywhere in the circuit is defined by the most important and basic law of electricity, known as ohms law. May, 2012 science class series and parallel circuits. The term dc is used to refer to power systems that use refer to the constant not changing with time, mean average or zerofrequency voltage or current. Series and parallel circuits in a series circuit electricity has only one path to follow. Here is a printable science worksheet that is great for teaching students about static and current electricity. This video provides an overview of series and parallel circuits. Determine if everyday objects are conductors or insulators, and take measurements with an ammeter and voltmeter. Electric circuits are made up of electrical components these components must be joined together without any gap in between to form a closed circuit. Place to download free full versions of the latest software, audio samples, tutorial, ebook and video for free. Remember in a parallel circuit, if one component breaks, then only that part stops working. In a series circuit, every device must function for the circuit to be complete. Calculating equivalent resistances in parallel circuits experiment time part 1 experiment time part 2 rules of thumb for series and parallel resistors series and parallel capacitors experiment time part 3 experiment time part 3, continued.
Parallel circuits are set up so that the current has an independent path to take through each piece. Review series, multiloop and parallel circuits at your own pace with this engaging chapter. Electrical circuits are closed paths for currents to flow and they are usually made of components joined by wires. Get your team aligned with all the tools you need on one secure, reliable video platform. First do any sections that have only series resistors. Students draw arrows to show the path of electricity in the series and parallel circuits. Series circuits, this is a section called intuitive relationships and intuitive relationships are things that just kind of make sense and in series circuits there are some things that are just intuitive about a series circuit and you text will give a little bit of a discussion about each one of these if it is not clear as i got over it. Two types of circuits are commonly used to supply electrical power, series and parallel. Concise lessons and multiplechoice quizzes are designed to enhance the learning process. Some of the material is available freely elsewhereit is not all my own work. Series and parallel circuits super teacher worksheets. An electrical circuit consists of wires, components like switches and bulbs and a cell or other source of power.
Investigating series and parallel circuits 102 2004, president and fellows of harvard college series circuit batteries in series 1 does the bulb light. For holiday lights, this means one bulb can burn out and not affect the rest of the circuit. A water analogy is used because water can be seen whereas electrons flowing through a circuit cannot. A series parallel circuit is a combination of series and parallel components. Series and parallel circuit homeschool science series. I have just put together this resource for my class. Build circuits with batteries, resistors, light bulbs, fuses, and switches. The idea for solving these types of circuits is to break down smaller parts of the circuit into series and parallel sections. Series and parallel inductors resources and going further. Series circuits, this is a section called intuitive relationships and intuitive relationships are things that just kind of make sense and in series circuits there are some things that are just intuitive about a series circuit and you text will. Phet sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, gamelike environment where students learn through exploration and discovery. Where series components all have equal currents running through them, parallel components all have the same voltage drop across them series.
A circuit needs to be complete for electricity to flow through it. Series and parallel there are 2 ways in which an electric circuit can be arranged. If there is only one path for the current you have a series circuit. This allowed students to compare values in both series and parallel circuits and see the difference between the two. In a series circuit, there is only one current pathway, all components have same current through them. If one lamp goes out, the other lamps will go out too. This is series and parallel circuits by hazeldown primary on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. A free powerpoint ppt presentation displayed as a flash slide show on id. Learn about series and parallel circuits in this worksheet. In order to better understand the differences, different circuits were created and different probes differential voltage and current were used to find data for the voltage and current in each circuit. What is the difference between a series circuit and a. Differentiating among the various kinds of electric circuits is easy and fun for students with this handson sorting activity.
Before the load will operate, electricity must have a complete path from the source to the load and back to the source. If there is only one path for the current you have a. They both have currents which can be determined by formulas that dont change at beginning levels. A series circuit has all its components wired in the same loop. Parallel circuits are used in christmas lights now, because, if one light breaks, the electricity will flow the other route, and the rest of the lights will still function. A seriesparallel circuit is a combination of series and parallel components. They both have voltages which can be determined by. Circuits, series and parallel, voltage equation scienceaid. List examples of sources that the voltage for any electrical circuit can come from. Series and parallel circuits investigation instruction sheet. The current splits along strands in a parallel circuit. A simple circuit has one appliance resistor and only one path for the current to flow. Go to furry elephant, and choose series or parallel circuits.
In parallel circuits, each light bulb has its own circuit, so all but one light could be burned out, and the last one will still function. Nov 29, 20 modelling circuits that are parallel or series, goes after a modelling lesson on circuits which is also on tes. Series and parallel what do you do when you have a circuit with both parallel and series resistors. Compare series and parallel circuits using this worksheet to support a practical activity. Series and parallel circuits direct current dc direct current dc is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Dec 05, 2014 there is a power component like a battery or some other electric source that gives force to electrons to move. Series and parallel circuits st edmunds girls school. Series and parallel circuits basics phet contribution. Discuss what would happen if a resistor was not included in a circuit. Be sure to check out our entire collection of electricity worksheets.
At the junctions, the current splits, but then rejoins at the final junction. Ppt series and parallel circuits powerpoint presentation. In a series circuit, the parts of the circuit are in a row, one after the other so current flows through them. Electrical circuits series and parallel for kids youtube. A parallel circuit contains junctions and so there is more than one path for the current. Its simple because the circuit is a single wire running from a battery to a bulb and back again. Ks2 electricity what are the different parts of a circuit.