Activity 1.2.3 Electrical Circuits (simulation)
Introduction
Since the late 1800s, engineers have designed systems to utilize electrical energy due to its ability to be converted, stored, transmitted, and reconverted efficiently into other forms of energy. In the 21st century, electrical energy production, distribution, and application have become consumer driven. Today’s consumer utilizes electrical energy in all aspects of life, from cell phones and computers to refrigeration and heating and cooling systems, and even transportation. Electrical energy, depending on geographic location, is converted from mechanical energy, chemical energy, light energy, and thermo energy before it reaches the consumer.
Regardless of the conversion process, electrical energy consists of three basic components: current, voltage, and resistance. Current is the net transfer of electric charge per unit of time. Voltage is the amount of work required to move a charge from one point to another. Resistance is the opposition to the flow of current. Understanding the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance allows engineers to design efficient, safe, and functional electrical circuits. Electrical circuits consist of the following components: an energy source to provide voltage, conductors to allow current travel, insulators to limit current travel, and a load. Electrical circuits provide an uninterrupted path for current travel and are broken into two distinct categories of design: series circuits and parallel circuits.
Since the late 1800s, engineers have designed systems to utilize electrical energy due to its ability to be converted, stored, transmitted, and reconverted efficiently into other forms of energy. In the 21st century, electrical energy production, distribution, and application have become consumer driven. Today’s consumer utilizes electrical energy in all aspects of life, from cell phones and computers to refrigeration and heating and cooling systems, and even transportation. Electrical energy, depending on geographic location, is converted from mechanical energy, chemical energy, light energy, and thermo energy before it reaches the consumer.
Regardless of the conversion process, electrical energy consists of three basic components: current, voltage, and resistance. Current is the net transfer of electric charge per unit of time. Voltage is the amount of work required to move a charge from one point to another. Resistance is the opposition to the flow of current. Understanding the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance allows engineers to design efficient, safe, and functional electrical circuits. Electrical circuits consist of the following components: an energy source to provide voltage, conductors to allow current travel, insulators to limit current travel, and a load. Electrical circuits provide an uninterrupted path for current travel and are broken into two distinct categories of design: series circuits and parallel circuits.
Conclusion Questions
1. Explain the primary difference between a series and a parallel circuit.
A series circuit acts like a straight line, or has a domino effect. If one bulb is to be removed, all other bulbs will go out. In a parallel circuit, a bulb can be removed as the circuit's power source can go through many wires to reach many different bulbs, eliminating the domino effect of a series circuit.
2. Explain the difference between the voltage output at the battery and the voltage across each bulb in the series circuit.
The voltage output at the battery is going to be 100% of whatever the battery's voltage is. The voltage across each bulb in a series circuit will be the same across each bulb, but the current flow will be affected based on any ohms that may be present.
3. In a series circuit, explain the relationship between the current at the battery and each bulb in the circuit.
Current at the battery will be the total of the entire circuit's different bulbs' individual currents added together, while the current at each bulb in the circuit will vary based on any ohms present before the bulbs or present in the bulbs themselves.
4. Explain the relationship between voltage at the battery and voltage across each bulb in a parallel circuit.
Voltage at the battery will total the battery's voltage. Each bulb will individually have the same voltage and its current will be affected by any resistance preceding the bulb.
5. Explain the relationship between current at the battery and current through each bulb in the parallel circuit.
Current at the battery will total the currents of all the bulbs that are switched on. Bulbs' current will each be individually dependent on the volts divided by the resistance of the bulb and/or any resistance which comes shortly before the volts would reach the bulb.
6. For the combination circuit, explain the relationship between the voltage output at the interface and the voltage across the two light bulbs.
The voltage at the output is going to be 100% of the battery's voltage and the voltage at the the two light bulbs will be the same as well.
7. For the combination circuit, explain the relationship between the current output at the battery and the current through each bulb in the parallel circuit.
The current output at the battery will be the current of the entire circuit while the current through each bulb will sum up to equal the total current in the circuit.
1. Explain the primary difference between a series and a parallel circuit.
A series circuit acts like a straight line, or has a domino effect. If one bulb is to be removed, all other bulbs will go out. In a parallel circuit, a bulb can be removed as the circuit's power source can go through many wires to reach many different bulbs, eliminating the domino effect of a series circuit.
2. Explain the difference between the voltage output at the battery and the voltage across each bulb in the series circuit.
The voltage output at the battery is going to be 100% of whatever the battery's voltage is. The voltage across each bulb in a series circuit will be the same across each bulb, but the current flow will be affected based on any ohms that may be present.
3. In a series circuit, explain the relationship between the current at the battery and each bulb in the circuit.
Current at the battery will be the total of the entire circuit's different bulbs' individual currents added together, while the current at each bulb in the circuit will vary based on any ohms present before the bulbs or present in the bulbs themselves.
4. Explain the relationship between voltage at the battery and voltage across each bulb in a parallel circuit.
Voltage at the battery will total the battery's voltage. Each bulb will individually have the same voltage and its current will be affected by any resistance preceding the bulb.
5. Explain the relationship between current at the battery and current through each bulb in the parallel circuit.
Current at the battery will total the currents of all the bulbs that are switched on. Bulbs' current will each be individually dependent on the volts divided by the resistance of the bulb and/or any resistance which comes shortly before the volts would reach the bulb.
6. For the combination circuit, explain the relationship between the voltage output at the interface and the voltage across the two light bulbs.
The voltage at the output is going to be 100% of the battery's voltage and the voltage at the the two light bulbs will be the same as well.
7. For the combination circuit, explain the relationship between the current output at the battery and the current through each bulb in the parallel circuit.
The current output at the battery will be the current of the entire circuit while the current through each bulb will sum up to equal the total current in the circuit.