We rely on electrical circuits each and every day, in nearly every aspect of our lives. In the morning, you wake up to an alarm clock that is powered by electricity. Turn on a light and put on an electrical coffee maker and you've used three electrical circuits within minutes of being awake! Without the basic electrical circuit, you wouldn't be doing any of these simple tasks.
Significance
The charges that move in an electrical circuit are electrons, or negative charges. Unlike protons and neutrons that are bound in the nucleus of an atom, electrons move around freely. The electrons in any given material have a certain degree of movement and are able to transfer from one material to another. This freedom of movement is the basic principle that allows for electricity to move through a circuit.
Identification
A basic electrical circuit consists of a power supply, such as an electrical outlet or battery, a conductive material like copper wire, and a form of resistance, which is what the device being powered, like a light bulb, is considered. A switch is used to complete or disconnect the circuit, allowing you to control whether electricity is running through it or not. Note, a good conductive material is one in which electrons have a lot of mobility.
Function
Electrons are naturally attracted to protons (positive charges) and repelled from other electrons. When a circuit is connected, a voltage is applied from the power source which begins the electron movement. The electrons are flowing from the negative side of the power supply to the positive side because of the basic attraction. When the electrons flow through the device (resistor), they provide the power it needs to operate. In a simple example, electrons travel from the negative end of the battery, through the copper wire onto a light bulb, which is lit, and then out of the light bulb through the other end of wire and on to the positive end of the battery. Because an electrical circuit is circular, electrons flow continuously around and around without an end.
Types
Two types of circuits are series and parallel. In a series circuit, electricity must flow through each resistor in order to continue. For example in a string of lights connected in a series circuit, electricity passes through each light on its way to the positive end; if one light goes out, the circuit is broken and will not work. A parallel circuit wires resistors in a way that allows electricity to flow in a circuit separate from each resistor. Using the light example, one strand of wire is connected from the negative to the positive terminal of the battery, while each light is wired individually onto the main wire. If one light goes out, the circuit is still in tact and electricity will continue to flow, lighting the other lights.
Features
Here are some terms that are important to circuits:
Voltage--the initial force that pushes electrons out into the circuit and begins their movement.
Current--measurement of the flow of electrons continuously running through the circuit.
Resistance--measurement of how a material or device (light bulb) limits or slows down the flow of electrons in a circuit.
Tags: electrical circuit, light bulb, from negative, allows electricity, basic electrical, basic electrical circuit
