Series and Parallel Circuits

• container
• electrolyte solution
• zinc and copper

• 1. Zinc dissolves in electrolyte solution, leaving behind some electrons. This becomes the negative terminal.
• 2. Electrons from copper are attracted by the positive zinc ions.
• 3. The copper is slightly charged, becoming the positive terminal.
• 4. Connecting the negatively charged zinc to the positively charged copper lets electrons flow.

• a switch is a mechanism which causes 2 pieces of metal to touch or not touch.
• When the metal is touching, the switch is closed.
• When the 2 pieces of metal are not touching, the switch is open.

Something that conducts electricity but not very well

A dimmer switch uses semiconductors to allow more or less electricity to reach the light

when a part of a series circuit stops working, the whole thing stops working; in a parallel circuit, if one part stops working, the rest continues working

a series circuit is only one circuit but a parallel is many series connected to one power source

the light will shine brighter (if it is negative to positive)

nothing will turn on

a short circuit is when electricity finds a shorter way for electricity to flow from negative to positive terminal without passing through the load

circuit breakers and fuses are weak links so that when too much electricity flows through the circuit, it breaks