Simple Circuits
(Activities that are greyed or links with "NL" indicate that they are not linked in this sample site)
Concepts explored in this module:
Links to: National Standards (NL) Missouri State Standards (NL) California State Standards (NL)
Beginning a Circuit Voltage drives the flow of electrons through a complete circuit. Voltage can be measured using a voltmeter. Voltage is measured in units of volts A Series Circuit Understanding voltage and current in a series circuit A Parallel Circuit Understanding current and voltage in a parallel circuit Circuit Challenge 1 Series and Parallel Circuits • Problem-solving activities Comparing Currents Understanding electrical current and how to measure it Current in a Parallel Circuit Understanding current in a parallel circuit The Resistance of One Bulb Understanding resistance and how to measure it Student Information Page Resistors and Resistance The Resistance of a Series Circuit Understanding the resistance of a series circuit Circuit Challenge 2 Series Circuit Design • Problem-solving activities The Resistance of a Parallel Circuit Understanding the resistance of a parallel circuit Circuit Challenge 3 Parallel Circuit Design • Problem-solving activities Circuit Challenge 4 Find the Hungriest Circuit • Problem-solving activities Power to you! Power measures how much energy is used per second. In an electrical circuit power is measured in terms of the voltage, current and resistance. One needs to know two of the three quantities to figure out the power Combining Circuits Understanding mixed series and parallel circuits Name That Circuit Understanding mixed series and parallel circuits Circuit challenge 5 Recognizing Series and Parallel Circuits • Problem-solving activities The Wheatstone Bridge Understanding mixed series and parallel circuits; further concept development on the flow of currents in different arms of a circuit Wiring a Buzzer Building a circuit for a buzzer Staircase Switch Wiring a staircase switch circuit Quantitative links
Ohm's Law Problems on series circuits
Problems on parallel circuits Problems on power Problems on power and energy