circuits

4th Grade explored making circuits today!

We learned a circuit needs three things:

• A power source (we used batteries)
• A pathway for electrons (we used alligator clips)
• A load or user (we used bulbs, motors, and buzzers)

There are two types of circuits parallel and series.
We created each type and used circuit symbols to draw each.

A series circuit only has one pathway for electricity to flow.

If one bulb is removed, the other bulb will go out (think about old Christmas lights!)

A parallel circuit has more than one pathway for electricity to flow.

If one bulb is removed the other bulb will stay lit because electricity have another path to get there!

Try these interactive circuit resources for challenges and practice!

Building a circuit from Engineering Interact.org

Experimenting with circuits from Engineering Interact.org

(you need flash)

Building a series circuit from British Energy


Building a parallel circuit from British Energy

Playing with circuits from the BBC