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Circuits

The document is a lab guide for exploring series and parallel circuits using the Circuit Construction Kit PhET simulation. It includes pre-lab activities, observations, and questions to analyze the behavior of circuits with varying numbers of light bulbs. The guide encourages students to draw circuit diagrams, compare brightness, and understand the implications of circuit design.

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30 views

Circuits

The document is a lab guide for exploring series and parallel circuits using the Circuit Construction Kit PhET simulation. It includes pre-lab activities, observations, and questions to analyze the behavior of circuits with varying numbers of light bulbs. The guide encourages students to draw circuit diagrams, compare brightness, and understand the implications of circuit design.

Uploaded by

mmaresca
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name ____________________________________ Period _______________ Date __________________

Circuit Construction Kit (DC Circuits)PhET Lab

Today, you will use the Circuit Construction KitPhET lab to qualitatively explore series and parallel circuits.

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/legacy/circuit-construction-kit-dc

PreLab

Draw a simple diagram for a series and parallel circuit below using your notes/homework.

Series Circuit Parallel Circuit

Beginning Observations
1) Open the Circuit Construction Kit (DC Only)PhET simulation.
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-dc
What can you change about the simulation?

2) Build a simple circuit with a battery, wires, light bulb and voltage source. Draw it below.
PhET diagram (draw what you see on the screen) Circuit diagram (use symbols we have learned in class)

3) What are the main differences between a parallel and series circuit?

4) What flows through the wires when there is a closed circuit, what on the screen represents these?

1
Part 1 – Series Circuit

Construct a simple series circuit with the following amounts of light bulbs using the PhET simulation. Remember in a
series circuit, there is only on path for electricity to flow. Keep the battery source the same. Draw the proper circuit
diagram in your table and rank the relative brightness in your table.

Relative Brightness of bulbs (use


Number of Light
Circuit Diagram words like brightest, least bright,
Bulbs
etc.)

What can you conclude about what happens to the brightness of the bulbs as you add more bulbs in series? Why do you
think this is the case?

2
Part 2 – Parallel Circuit

Construct two parallel circuits one with 2 light bulbs in parallel and one with 3 light bulbs in parallel and rank the relative
brightness of the bulbs. Remember, in a parallel circuit there are multiple pathways for electricity to flow. Keep your
battery source the same.

Relative Brightness of bulbs (use


Number of Light
Circuit Diagram words like brightest, least bright,
Bulbs in Parallel
etc.)

What can you conclude about what happens to the brightness of the bulbs as you add more bulbs in parallel? Why do
you think this is the case?

Conclusion Q’s

1. How does the parallel circuit compare to the series circuit?

2. What happens when you break a parallel circuit (try it out in the sim if you need to!)? How would this property be
useful when designing circuits?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of series and parallel circuits?

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