Make a Parallel Circuit

Purpose
To construct a parallel circuit. After this experiment, you will
be able to construct your own parallel circuit and answer the
question, “Why are the electrical devices and appliances in
the home commonly connected in parallel?”

Additional information
You can connect two or more bulbs or appliances in a circuit. There are two basic ways to connect
electrical devices like bulbs in a circuit. The devices can be connected through series or parallel
wiring. In a series connection, electricity flows through each electrical device. A problem arises if
one device used in the circuit fails to function correctly and will stop the flow of electricity. No
part of the series circuit can be switched on or off without affecting the other devices connected
to the circuit. On the other hand, in a parallel circuit the electric current flows and only part of
the total current in the circuit goes through each bulb or electrical device. Each has a circuit of its
own so the electric current flowing through each device moves in a different path in the circuit.

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Required materials

 two flashlight bulbs with sockets

 dry cell
 half a meter copper wire
 electrical tape
 switch
 scissors

Estimated Experiment Time

Approximately 20 minutes

Step-By-Step Procedure

 1. Cut the wire into five parts.

 2. Remove half a centimetre of insulation from both ends of the wires.
 3. Attach a wire to the positive side of the dry cell and wound the other end to the left
side of a light bulb.
 4. Attach another wire to the negative side of the dry cell and connect it to the switch.
 5. Get another wire and connect the switch to the right side of the light bulb.
 6. Add one more bulb to the setup by wounding another wire to the left side of the first
light bulb and connecting the other end to the left side of the second light bulb.
 7. Wound another wire to the right side of the first light bulb and connect it to the right
side of the second light bulb.
Note
In removing insulations, do it slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the wires. Secure your
connections with electrical tapes. Do not play with the light bulbs since they are easily broken.

Observation
Does adding a bulb in the setup affect the brightness of the bulb? What happened when you
remove one of the light bulbs? Why does turning off one light bulb not break the circuit? Why is
parallel circuit better than series circuit?

Result
When you added one more light bulb to the circuit, it did not affect the brightness of the first
light bulb. The connection was not broken even when you removed one of the light bulbs in the
circuit. The circuit did not break because a parallel circuit has more than one pathway for the
electricity. This way, it is better than series circuit since the devices can be switched on and off
separately without breaking any circuits.