Circuits

Last week, we began our lessons on Circuits, and moved into conductors and insulators. While this is a new concept for 4th Graders, they have picked it up quickly! One of the more difficult areas is the types of circuits we are looking at. We are focusing on Series Circuits and Parallel Circuits. Below are pictures and an explanation of each circuit type.


The first type of circuit we are looking at is a parallel circuit. The objects in this type of circuit are independent of one another and do not rely on the other object in order to work.

Parallel Circuits: In parallel circuits, each object has its own separate loop. Electricity doesn’t have to flow from one object to the next object and back to the power source.  It can flow through both objects at the same time. If one object is missing or stops working, THE OTHER OBJECT STILL HAS ELECTRICITY BECAUSE IT IS ON ITS OWN LOOP.

The second type of circuit we are looking at is a series circuit. The objects in this type of circuit are dependent of one another and rely on the other object in order to work. If one part burns out or stops working, it has a direct impact on the other part(s).

Series Circuits: series circuits have everything connected in one continuous loop. Electricity flows from one object to the next one in the loop and back to the energy source. If one object is missing or stops working, ALL OTHER OBJECTS STOP WORKING, TOO