Build Your Own Circuit Worksheet

Part 1: Answer the following questions (20 points)

1. Name and describe the components needed to make a complete circuit.
You need a source of electric power (For example: a battery or generator), a load to
absorb the power (For example: a lamp, motor, heating coil), and wiring to connect the
load to the power source.
1. Compare and contrast a series and parallel circuit. Give at least one way that they are
alike and one way that they are different.
The current passes through each resistor in turn. A parallel circuit is where the resistors
are side by side, and each resistor will carry only a portion of the final current.
1. Ohm's law is represented by the equation I = V/R. Explain how the current would change
if the amount of resistance decreased and the voltage stayed the same.
The current is proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance.
This means if the resistance decreases and the voltage stays constant, the current will
increase.
1. Define resistance and describe what would happen to a light bulb if the voltage
increased but the resistance stayed the same. The current, being directly proportional to
the voltage, would increase, causing the light bulb to increase I'm brilliance, which
means: it would simply become brighter.
Part 2: Design your own circuit (40 points)
Design a circuit and draw a circuit diagram using the proper symbols. Your circuit must contain a
battery, a light bulb (if you would like to substitute another item that uses electrical power you
may), a switch, an ammeter, and a resistor. After you draw your circuit, complete the questions
which ask you to describe the circuit that you have created. You may hand draw the circuit and
scan or fax the worksheet to submit for grading. Or you may use a draw/paint program to create
your circuit in the space provided.
You will be awarded points as follows:
Circuit contains all required parts – 5 parts (1 point each) 5 points
Circuit is properly constructed and would work 5 points
Symbols are correct and properly placed – 5 total (1 point each) 5 points
Question 1 explanation 5 points
Question 2 explanation 5 points
Question 3 explanation 5 points
Question 4 explanation 5 points
Question 5 explanation 5 points
Total point value 40 points

Circuit Diagram:
Question 1: Is the circuit you created a parallel, series or a series/parallel circuit? Support your
answer with a description of this type of circuit.
The circuit I choose is a series circuit. A series circuit has only one path for electric
charges

Question 2: What is the purpose of the resistor in your circuit?

To prevent an electrical overload to the circuit and its components

Question 3: How does the switch work?

The switch provides a mean for either completing or breaking the circuit

Question 4: Describe the path of the electric current through your circuit.
The current travels in one direction since a battery generates a direct current as
opposed to an alternating current circuit

Question 5: Explain how your battery works. (You may want to look at the Electric Current
lesson) What are some possible materials you could use to make your battery?
The battery contains stored chemical energy that is converted to electrical energy when
the circuit is completed. We could use a flashlight or smoke alarm where there is power
but no other source of electricity