Activity 1.2.3 Electrical Circuits – Simulation
Introduction
Since the late 1800s, engineers have designed systems to utilize electrical energydue to its ability to be converted, stored, transmitted, and reconverted efficiently intoother forms of energy. In the 21st century, electrical energy production, distribution,and application have become consumer driven. Today’s consumer utilizes electricalenergy in all aspects of life, from cell phones and computers to refrigeration andheating and cooling systems, and even transportation. Electrical energy, dependingon geographic location, is converted from mechanical energy, chemical energy, lightenergy, and thermo energy before it reaches the consumer. Regardless of the conversion process, electrical energy consists of three basiccomponents: current, voltage, and resistance. Current is the net transfer of electriccharge per unit of time. Voltage is the amount of work required to move a chargefrom one point to another. Resistance is the opposition to the flow of current.Understanding the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance allowsengineers to design efficient, safe, and functional electrical circuits. Electrical circuitsconsist of the following components: an energy source to provide voltage,conductors to allow current travel, insulators to limit current travel, and a load.Electrical circuits provide an uninterrupted path for current travel and are broken intotwo distinct categories of design: series circuits and parallel circuits.
Conclusion
1. Explain the primary difference between a series and a parallel circuit
Series is lots of circuits and parallel is horizontal circuits
.2. Explain the difference between the voltage output at the battery and the voltage
across each bulb in the series circuit
The voltage output
.3. In a series circuit, explain the relationship between the current at the battery and
each bulb in the circuit.
4. Explain the relationship between voltage at the battery and voltage across each
bulb in a parallel circuit
.5. Explain the relationship between current at the battery and current through each
bulb in the parallel circuit
.6. For the combination circuit, explain the relationship between the voltage output at
the interface and the voltage across the two light bulbs.7. For the combination circuit, explain the relationship between the current output at
the battery and the current through each bulb in the parallel circuit.