Recap: Basic Circuit

All electric circuits have three main parts

1. A source of energy
2. A closed path
3. A device which uses the energy

Electric Symbol

What is the energy change which takes

place in a battery?

The cell stores chemical energy and

transfers it to electrical energy when a
circuit is connected

The cells chemical energy is used up

pushing a current round a circuit

Electricity - electrons moving through a

metal wire.

Measurement
Mass

Temperature

How to measure
Current?

 Current is the measure of the rate of electron

"flow" in a circuit.
It is measured in the unit of the Ampere and
its unit is A.
The most common way to measure current in
a circuit is to break the circuit open and insert
an "ammeter.

Ammeters
An ammeter measures electrical current in a circuit.
There are 2 types of ammeters

Analogue

Digital

How to read an analog ammeter:

Current = .. A

Current = .. mA

Using an Ammeter
The current to be measured must pass
directly through the ammeter.
This means that the ammeter is connected in
series in the circuit
Symbol of
Ammeter

Types of circuits
There are two types of electrical circuits;
SERIES CIRCUITS

PARALLEL CIRCUITS

SERIES CIRCUITS

The components are connected end-to-end, one

after the other.
They make a simple loop for the current to flow
round.
If one bulb blows it breaks the whole circuit and
all the bulbs go out.

Race Track

PARALLEL CIRCUITS

The components are connected side by side.

The current has a choice of routes.
If one bulb blows there is still be a complete circuit to
the other bulb so it stays alight.

Parallel Circuits

Describe the connection of bulb A and bulb B.

Describe the connection of bulb C and bulb D

Task
Build
5Series circuits
5 Parallel circuits
And explain how this
affect the intensity
of the bulb

Available at: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuitconstruction-kit-dc

Worksheet

State whether they are in series or

parallel