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The Power of Circuits! | Technology for Kids | SciShow Kids

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How To Make a Simple Electric Circuit | Working Model School Science Project

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Make a Parallel Electrical Circuit | Electricity-Science | GyanLab

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Make a Series Electrical Circuit | Electricity-Science | GyanLab

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When connecting electrical devices to a power source, they can be hooked up to make either a series circuit or a parallel circuit. In a parallel circuit, the electrical current flows along several paths, and each individual device is hooked up to its own circuit. The advantage to a parallel circuit is that if one device malfunctions, the flow of electricity will not stop, as it will in a series circuit. Additionally, several devices can be hooked up to the power source at once, without decreasing the overall wattage output. Creating your own parallel circuit is simple, and is thus a great project to perform to be able to see for yourself how electricity works.

1. Consider the age and skill of those involved. Creating a parallel circuit is an excellent and easy experiment for students learning about electricity. This method of building a parallel circuit is excellent for younger students: they may have limited dexterity, and you may not want them to use sharp tools.

If you are making a parallel circuit as part of a lesson plan, it may help to have your students or child make a list of questions, predictions, and hypotheses about what they'll be observing.

2. Choose your power source. The cheapest and most convenient power source for your parallel circuit project is a battery. A 9-volt battery is an excellent choice.

3. Prepare your conductors. Use aluminum foil as your conductor to build this type of parallel circuit. The foil will be used to connect the power source to the loads.

Cut the foil into 4 narrow strips: 2 8 in (20 cm) pieces, and 2 4 in (10 cm) pieces. They should be narrow, about the width of a drinking straw.

4. Connect the first of the conducting strips to the battery. You're now ready to start hooking up your parallel circuit.

Take one of the 8 in (20 cm) strips of foil and connect it to the positive terminal of the battery.

Take the other 8 in (20 cm) strip and connect it to the negative terminal of the battery.

5. Hook up your lightbulbs. You're now ready to connect your loads to the conducting material.

Take the 2 shorter 4 in (10 cm) strips and wrap one end of each around the long strip coming off the positive terminal. Place one 4 in (10 cm) strip near the top of the strip, and the other about 3 inches (7.6 cm) down toward the battery.

Wrap the loose ends of the shorter strips around your 2 light bulbs. You may find it helpful to secure the strips with electrical tape.

6. Complete the parallel circuit. Once you finish connecting all of the elements of the parallel circuit, your lightbulbs should glow.

Place the ends of the 2 light bulbs against the 8 in (20 cm) strip of foil that is attached to the negative terminal of the battery.

The lightbulbs should now shine brightly!

1. Choose this method for a slightly advanced project. While creating a parallel circuit is not complicated, this method requires you to use wire and a switch; it may be suited for slightly older students.

For example, this method will require you to strip wires, but if you lack the necessary tools for this or don't want young ones performing this task, you may prefer to read the method explained above.

2. Gather the main components of a parallel circuit. You don't need much to complete this project: You need a power source, a conducting material, at least 2 loads (the items which use electricity), and a switch.

Use a 9-volt battery as the power source.

You'll be using insulated wire as your conducting material. Any kind will work, but copper-wire should be easy to find.

You'll be cutting the wire into several pieces, so make sure you have plenty (30-40 inches (76-102 cm) should do it).

For the load, use light bulbs or flashlight bulbs.

You should be able to find a switch (as well as all of the other materials) at any hardware or home improvement store.

3. Prepare your wires. The wire is your conducting material, which will create the circuits between the power source and your leads.

Cut the wire into five pieces (between 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) will be fine).

Carefully remove approximately inch (1.3 cm) of the insulation from both ends of all your wire pieces.

Wire strippers are the best tool for removing insulation, but if you don't have these, scissors or wire-cutters will work; just be very careful not to damage the wires.

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How is energy converted into lights?

Ralph Childers is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work. Ralph received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and holds an Oregon Journeyman Electrical License as well as electrician licenses in Louisiana and Texas.

How do I do this without the bulbs when making a parallel circuit?

Ralph Childers is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work. Ralph received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and holds an Oregon Journeyman Electrical License as well as electrician licenses in Louisiana and Texas.

This article was co-authored by Ralph Childers. Ralph Childers is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work. Ralph received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and holds an Oregon Journeyman Electrical License as well as electrician licenses in Louisiana and Texas. This article has been viewed 338,399 times.

To make a parallel circuit, first cut 2 8-inch and 2 4-inch strips of aluminum foil, each the width of a straw. Then, connect one 8-inch strip to the positive terminal of a 9-volt battery and the other to the negative terminal. Next, wrap the ends of the 4-inch strips around the 8-inch strip that's attached to the positive terminal, putting one near the top of the 8-inch strip and the other 3 inches lower, toward the battery. Wrap the loose end of each 4-inch strip around its own lightbulb. You can then complete the circuit by touching the ends of the lightbulbs to the 8-inch strip that's attached to the negative terminal. For information from our Licensed Electrician reviewer on how to build your circuit with wires and a switch, read on!

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 338,399 times.

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How to Make a Parallel Circuit (with Pictures) - wikiHow

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When connecting electrical devices to a power source, they can be hooked up to make either a series circuit or a parallel circuit. In a parallel circuit, the electrical current flows along several paths, and each individual device is...

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This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA. Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

A circuit is a closed path that electrons flow along to provide power to your home and electronics. A simple electric circuit contains a power source (battery), wires, and a resistor (light bulb). In a circuit, electrons flow from the battery, through the wires, and into the light bulb. When the bulb receives enough of these electrons it will light up. When constructed properly, you will be able to light your bulb with just a few simple steps.

Building a Simple Circuit with a Battery

1. Gather the necessary materials. To build a simple circuit, you will need a power source, 2 insulated wires, a light bulb, and a light bulb holder. A power source can be any type of battery or battery pack. The rest of the materials can be found at your local hardware store.

When choosing a light bulb, find one that is around 15-25 volts so a single battery can power them.

To simplify the wire attachment process, use a battery snap with wires pre-attached and a 9-volt battery or battery pack.

2. Strip the ends of the insulated wires. In order for your circuit to work properly, the wires need to be totally exposed so you must strip the ends. Using wire strippers, remove about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the insulation from the ends of each wire.

If you don't have wire strippers, you can carefully use scissors to cut off the insulation.

Be careful not to cut all the way through the wire.

3. Attach your wires to the battery pack. The wires will be conducting your electric current from the batteries to the light bulb. The easiest way to attach the wires is to use electrical tape. Attach the end of one wire to one side of the battery, making sure that the wire maintains contact with the metal of the battery. Repeat with the other wire on the other side of the battery.

Alternatively, if you are using a battery snap, snap the end onto the end of a 9-volt battery or the battery pack.

Use caution while building your circuit. Although unlikely, it is possible to get a very small shock if you touch the wire directly while attached to the battery. You can avoid this by only touching the insulated part of the wire or removing the batteries until you install the light bulb.

4. Test your circuit. Screw the light bulb into its holder until it is tight. If your circuit is hooked up properly, the bulb should light up when fully screwed into its socket.

Light bulbs can heat up quickly so be careful when installing and removing the bulb.

If the bulb doesn't light, check to make sure the wires are touching the ends of the battery and in contact with the metal of the screws.

Installing a Switch

Test your circuit. Screw the light bulb into its holder until it is tight. Flip the switch! If your circuit is hooked up properly, the bulb should light up when fully screwed into its socket.

Light bulbs can heat up quickly so be careful when installing and removing the bulb.

If the bulb doesn't light, check to make sure the wires are touching the ends of the battery and in contact with the metal of the screws.

Troubleshooting Your Circuit

1. Make sure all of the wires are connected properly. In order to complete the circuit, all wires must be touching the metal parts of each component. If your bulb doesn't light up, check each side of the battery and the screws on the bulb holder to make sure the wires are in contact with metal.

Make sure screws are tightened down to maintain contact.

In some cases, you may need to strip more of the insulation off the wire.

2. Test the charge of the battery. If the battery is dead or low on charge, it might not have enough power to light the bulb. Using a battery tester, check the charge or just replace the battery with a new one. If this was the problem, your bulb should light immediately after replacing the battery.

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Where can I find a battery pack?

Bess Ruff, MA
Master's Degree, Environmental Science & Management, University of California Santa Barbara

Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

Master's Degree, Environmental Science & Management, University of California Santa Barbara

You should be able to purchase a battery pack at your local hardware store.

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This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA. Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

To make a simple electrical circuit with a battery, use wire strippers or scissors to strip the ends of a length of insulated wire, but do not cut all the way through the wire. Install your batteries in a battery pack, then attach your wires to the battery pack using a battery snap or electrical tape. Fasten the other end of the wire to the metal screw of the bulb holder. Screw the bulb tightly into the holder. If the circuit is properly connected, the bulb should light up! Keep reading to learn how to install a switch on your circuit!

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 634,155 times.

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This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA. Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

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Difference between Simple and Parallel Circuit

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Difference between Simple and Parallel Circuit

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An electric circuit is a path for the transmission of electric current. When electric current moves through a circuit, electrical energy in the current is transferred to…