Embedded Files
Grab material
Grab material
1 -Handcrank
1 -Handcrank
1-Red Light
1-Red Light
1-Yellow Light
1-Yellow Light
1-Switch
1-Switch
2-Noice Pieces
2-Noice Pieces
3- Blue 2 Links
3- Blue 2 Links
2-Blue 3 Link
2-Blue 3 Link
1- Blue 4 Links
1- Blue 4 Links
1-Blue 5 Link
1-Blue 5 Link
Build a Series Circuit
Build a Series Circuit
- Build the circuit shown in the picture.
- Be careful when using the hand crank.
- This circuit has two lights in a row. When lights are connected one after another, it’s called a series circuit.
💡 Think of it like cars driving single file in the same lane.
💡 Think of it like cars driving single file in the same lane.
👉 Test your circuit!
👉 Test your circuit!
- Look at the brightness of the bulbs.
- How does it compare to a circuit with only one light?
While we cannot actually unscrew the bulb in our Snap Circuits kit, we can create the same effect by disconnecting the wiring path right next to one of the bulbs. Observe what happens. Do one or both of the lights go off?
While we cannot actually unscrew the bulb in our Snap Circuits kit, we can create the same effect by disconnecting the wiring path right next to one of the bulbs. Observe what happens. Do one or both of the lights go off?
Build a Parallel Circuit
Build a Parallel Circuit
- Build the circuit shown in the picture.
- This circuit has two lights side-by-side. When each light has its own path, it’s called a parallel circuit.
💡 Think of it like cars driving side-by-side in their own lanes.
💡 Think of it like cars driving side-by-side in their own lanes.
👉 Test your circuit!
👉 Test your circuit!
- Watch what happens to the brightness of the bulbs.
- How does it compare to the series circuit you built?
Replace the Battery Piece with the Handcrank Piece
Replace the Battery Piece with the Handcrank Piece
Test Your Parallel Circuit
Test Your Parallel Circuit
- Repeat the same experiment you did with the series circuit.
- Unscrew one bulb (or imagine it burned out), or disconnect one wire.
- Test your circuit and watch what happens.
👉 Questions to Think About:
- Do one or both lights go out?
- How is this different from the series circuit?
Thinking About Circuits
Thinking About Circuits
- When is it better to use a parallel circuit instead of a series circuit?
- Which kind of circuit do you think is used most often in your house?
💡 Hint: Think about what happens if one light goes out.
💡 Hint: Think about what happens if one light goes out.
Why Parallel Circuits Are Used in Homes
Why Parallel Circuits Are Used in Homes
Parallel circuits are used in houses because each light or device can work on its own.
Parallel circuits are used in houses because each light or device can work on its own.
- If one light goes out, the others stay on.
- Adding more lights doesn’t make the others dim.
A series circuit wouldn’t work as well in a house because all the lights would get dimmer if you added more, and if one light went out, everything would turn off.
A series circuit wouldn’t work as well in a house because all the lights would get dimmer if you added more, and if one light went out, everything would turn off.
Series vs. Parallel Circuits
Series vs. Parallel Circuits
Series Circuit
Series Circuit
- Lights are connected one after another.
- If one light goes out, all lights go out.
- Adding more lights makes them dimmer.
Parallel Circuit
Parallel Circuit
- Lights are connected side by side.
- If one light goes out, the others stay on.
- Adding more lights doesn’t make the others dim.
- This is the type used in houses.
Simple Diagram Idea:
Simple Diagram Idea:
Series: 🔴—🔴—🔴
Series: 🔴—🔴—🔴
- One line of lights
- All depend on each other
Parallel: 🔴 🔴 🔴
Parallel: 🔴 🔴 🔴
- Each light has its own path
- Can work independently
Build More Circuits
Build More Circuits
Please build those two projects in the booklet.
Please build those two projects in the booklet.
On page 38: Two in Series Circuit Project #51 and Two in Parallel Circuit Project #52.
On page 38: Two in Series Circuit Project #51 and Two in Parallel Circuit Project #52.
The piece B4 switch it with the Handcrank.
The piece B4 switch it with the Handcrank.
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