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Electric Circuits
In order to flow, electrons need a closed path through which to travel. An electric circuit provides a complete closed path for an electric current.
An electric circuit consists of: a source of energy, a load of resistance, wires and a switch
Recall that a source of energy can be a battery, a thermocouple,photocell, or an electric generator of a power plant, the load is the device that uses the electric energy such as a lightbulb. In all cases the load offer some resistance to the flow of electrons. As a result, electric energy is converted into heat,light or mechanical energy.
Remember that electricity cannot flow through an open circuit, it can only flow through a closed circuits
Series and Parallel Circuits
There are two types of electric circuits. The type depends on how the parts of the circuit are arranged
In a parallel circuit, the different parts of an electric circuit are on separate branches, there are several paths for the electrons to take, if there is a break in one branch of a parallel circuit, electrons can still move through the other branches. If all the parts of an electric circuit are connected one after another, the circuit is a series circuit, so if one light goes out, all of the lights will go out