1. Basic Circuits

2. What is a circuit?
An electric circuit is a complete path through which charge can flow.

3. Parts of a Circuit
Wire – any material that allows charge to flow freely through it.
Used to connect parts of a circuit; does not need to be specifically mentioned.
Symbol:

4. Parts of a Circuit
Generator / Battery / Motor – a source of energy for the circuit.
Symbols:

5. Parts of a Circuit
Light bulb: Any source of visible light caused by increased resistance releasing energy as heat.
Symbol:

6. Parts of a Circuit
Ammeter – Instrument that measures the current (amps) of a circuit.
Symbol:
Voltmeter- Instrument that measures the voltage of a circuit

7. Parts of a Circuit
Switch: An electrical component that can break the flow of current in a circuit.
Symbol:

8. Parts of a Circuit
Resistors – an electrical component that resists the flow of electrons.
Symbols:

9. Open Circuit An open circuit is not a completed loop.
No current can flow in an open circuit.

10. Closed Circuit
A closed circuit is a completed loop through which electricity can flow.
Current occurs in closed circuits.

11. Short Circuit
A short circuit is any path that allows very low resistance to occur.
Commonly, it happens when the positive and negative terminals of a battery are connected with a wire.

12. Short Circuit
Short circuits can be very dangerous because they can cause the wire to over-heat and start a fire.

13. Series Circuit
A series circuit has only one path for the electrons to flow through.

14. Parallel Circuit
Parallel circuits have multiple paths for electrons to flow.