Use the following link to complete the worksheet.
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/circuit-construction-kit-dc-virtual-lab/latest/circuit-constr
uction-kit-dc-virtual-lab_en.html
Use AutoDraw here to complete the drawings.
Find a way to light up a light bulb using as few materials as possible. You just created a
circuit! What are the ESSENTIAL components of your circuit? List three things that MUST be
true for the light bulb to light:
1.
2.
3.
Now add in a few more light bulbs, but keep only one battery. Did the addition of extra light
bulbs change the brightness of the bulbs? Explain why you said yes or no.
Based on what you have seen so far, how would you describe electricity to a student younger
than you?
Now open a gap in your circuit and open the grab bag. Find out which objects allow
electricity to flow through them (conductors) and which objects do not (insulators). List the
objects in the appropriate boxes below:
CONDUCTORS INSULATORS
(ELECTRICITY FLOWS THROUGH) (ELECTRICITY DOES NOT FLOW THROUGH)
What do the conductors have in common?
What do the insulators have in common?
CHALLENGE: Create a series circuit.
Create a circuit with one battery connected to multiple light bulbs. If you break the circuit
(stop the flow of electricity) at one bulb, ALL the bulbs go out. Sketch your circuit using
AutoDraw.Download and save your image. Insert your image below.
CHALLENGE: Create a parallel circuit.
Create a circuit with one battery connected to multiple light bulbs. If you break the circuit
(stop the flow of electricity) at one bulb, ONLY THAT BULB will go out. Sketch your circuit
using AutoDraw. Download and save your image. Insert your image below.
1. You are an electrical engineer working for Apple. Your boss wants you to create the
cheapest possible circuit for the new Macbook charger. If you want to save money, will you
design a series or parallel circuit? Why?
2. You are an electrician setting up the wiring for the lights in a new home that you are
building for a friend. Will you set up a series or a parallel circuit for the lights in his home?
Why?
3. What makes the switch handy?
4. What does the resistor do?
5. What does the capacitor do?
6. What does the inductor do?
7. Your normal circuit is called direct current. Turn on the alternating current (AC Voltage).
How is it different from the direct current?
8. Use the voltmeter. What can you do to raise the voltage of the current?
9. Use the ammeter. What can you do to raise the amps?
CHALLENGE: Create an electrical fire.
Sketch your circuit using AutoDraw. Download and save your image. Insert your image below.
