2.3 - Analyzing and Building Electrical Circuits

Question 1

What are the parts of a circuit?

Answer 1

1. Source - Provides energy and electrons
2. Conductor - Provides a path for current
3. Switch - Controls current flow
4. Load - Converts electrical energy into another form

Question 2

What is a series circuit?

Answer 2

• In a series circuit, there is only one pathway for the current
• If the pathway is interrupted, the whole circuit does not function
• Adding components increases resistance of the circuit

Question 3

What is a parallel circuit?

Answer 3

• In a parallel circuit, there are separate current pathways for each section of the circuit
• If one pathway is interrupted, the other pathways are unaffected
• Adding components with new pathways decrease the resistance of the circuit

Question 4

What type of circuit does household wiring use? How does this circuit work?

Answer 4

• Household wiring uses a combination circuit
• A switch in one branch of the circuit controls only the devices in that branch
• A switch in series with all the branches controls all the devices in the circuit

Question 5

What is a microcircuit?

Answer 5

AKA integrated circuits, they are made up of microscopic transistors and resistors

Question 6

What is a transistor?

Answer 6

• Acts as a tiny switch
• Made up of 3 layers of silicon, arranged such that a small voltage in the middle layer controls a current between the outer layers