Electrical systems

SIMPLE CIRCUITS
Learning outcomes

Revision of circuits with cells, lamps and

switches in series and parallel
Learn about current in a circuit
Practise using Ohm’s Law
Do research to test Ohm’s Law
Introduction
 An electrical current is a flow of charge in a
conductor , and that a current flows only when
there is a complete pathway (circuit) without any
gaps.
 The best conductors of electric current are
metals(steal, copper, etc).
 A current can be carried in certain liquid (water)
 Understanding of this chapter will prepare you for
subjects like Physical Science and Electrical
Technology in Grade 10.
Component symbols
COMPONENT NAME PICTURE SYMBOL MAIN TASK IN THE
CIRCUIT

CELL Is a source of energy

BATTERY (SERIES) Is a source of energy with

bigger voltage

SWITCH Opens or closes to allow

electrical energy to flow
in a circuit

CONDUCTOR Carries electrical energy

around a circuit

LAMP OR LIGHT BULB Converts electrical energy

in a circuit into light
energy
LIGHT-EMITTING Control device that allows
DIODE current to flow in one
(LED) direction only and emits
Important !!!

When we draw circuit diagrams, we will

show the cell/battery on the left, with the
positive terminal “on top”.
Output devices will be positioned on the
right of the circuit and switches at the top.
Cell in series and parallel
Cells are connected in series if:
 The positive pole of one cell is connected to the negative
pole of another cell. There is only one path for the current.

Cells are in parallel if:

 The positive pole of each cell is connected to the positive
pole of the next cell. There are as many paths for the
current as there are cells.
 A circuit with a lamp, a switch and one cell in a series (diagram A)
 A circuit with a lamp, a switch and two cell in a series (diagram B)

A.

B.
A circuit with a lamp, a switch and three cell in a
parallel (diagram A)
Effects on the brightness of the lambs

 The lamp in the circuit with one cell is about as bright as

the lamp with two cells connected parallel.
 The lamp in the circuit with two cells in series is much
brighter.
NB. Its unusual to find cells used in parallel in products that
we buy. If the voltage of cells connected in parallel are not
the same, current flows from cells with high voltage to cell
with lower voltage, which causes energy losses.
Lamps in series and parallel
Two or more lamps can also be connected in series.
Two or more lamps can also be connected to the cell in
parallel, as shown in the pictures below.
Effects on the brightness of the lamps

The lamp in the circuit with one cell is about

as bright as the lamps in the circuit with two
lamps in parallel.
The lamps in the circuit with two lamps in
series are the dullest.
Switches in series and parallel
The simplest circuit has:
• a power source such as a cell,
• a conductor, and
• a load that provides resistance, such as a lamp
In a circuit with one switch, the switch controls whether the current
flows through the circuit or not. If the switch is open, no current flows,
as the circuit is not completed. The closed switch allows the current to
flow.
Switches in series

Switches in parallel
Current in the circuit
 An electrical circuit consist of an electric energy
source and electric components that are connected
to one another by wires to allow electric current
flow through the circuit.
 Electriccurrent is a stream of energy-carrying
charges that flow through an electric circuit.
Current flows from positive to negative

 As source of energy is needed in every electric

circuit.
 A cell or battery is the usual source of energy for
circuits we can make.
 The source of energy pushes electric charges
around the circuit.
 The electric charges carry electric energy from the
source to output devices such as lightbulbs or
buzzers.
Current
Current is the flow of charges through the
circuit.
Scientists say that current flows from the
positive pole of the source of energy through
the circuit and back to the negative pole.
This direction of flow of charge from positive
to negative is called conventional current.
The end