Before I assembled my Series and Parallel Circuit Project I

wanted to understand the basic principles of a circuit and

current that travels within that circuit.

When electric charges move in a wire, an electric current flows

this is like a way a current of water flows in a River.(Show Path)
When a wire is attached to each end of a battery or a plug is
plugged into a wall outlet electrons Begin to Flow in a path
negative to positive, THIS FLOW IS CALLED CURRENT.

In order for current to flow you need a COMPLETE CIRCUIT, A

COMPLETE UN-BROKEN PATH.

Their are TWO TYPES of Circuits

A SERIES CIRCUIT Point to yours

Has a power source (hold up plug)

TWO BULBS AND A SWITCH ( POINT TO EACH )

As you see Both Bulbs are in line with each other, a SERIES
Circuit and when the CIRCUIT IS COMPLETE , NOT BROKEN
THE ELECTRONS MOVE IN A PATH FROM NEGATIVE TO
POSITIVE (If the Series circuit is Broken, (SHOW)one of bulb are
removed or the wire is cut , all electrons will cease to flow and No
Bulbs will light because it has become an INCOMPLETE Circuit

This is one of the problems with SERIES Circuits all bulbs have to
be working in my project for electric current to Flow.

ANOTHER disadvantage you notice is the bulbs in a Series are

not that bright as my parallel circuit. THAT BECAUSE the Sum of
each bulb will equal the total Volts of power, it will be divided
among other bulbs or other components. Adding resistance,
bulbs, will decreases the current flow.

Advantages of SERIES Circuits include:

1) You use less wire to construct.

2) and you may want to know if one specific component is not

working if the circuit has failed as for example a Refrigerator
or Air Conditioner .

The Other Circuit is a PARALLEL CIRCUIT (point to yours)

It also has a power source, a switch and two bulbs, components

(show all )

If ONE of the bulbs are removed, the other light will STILL
OPERATE, This is because each bulb has its own path, the circuit
is STILL COMPLETE.

Benefits of Parallel Circuits

1) Useful if you want everything to work, even if one bulb or one

component has failed the others will still work like your
Christmas lights or lighting in your home.

2) You notice in a parallel circuit (point at yours) all bulbs have

more brightness this is because there is more then one
PATHWAY the electrons take, (point to yours) the electrons
are moving faster, there less resistance within the wires which
increase the electron Flow across its path. Increase the
pathways and resistance, bulbs increase current flow.

Disadvantages of Parallel Circuits include

1) Need more wire which increase costs

2) Parallel circuits draw more power also increase usage costs.