Chapter 10: Composition of a Circuit

10.1 Composition of an Electric Circuit

 10.1.1 Basic Components of an Electric Circuit

Electric circuit are found everywhere in our

daily lives !
10.1.1 Basic Components of an Electric Circuit

Simplest electric circuit consists of four main

components.
10.1.1 Basic Components of an Electric Circuit

Simplest electric circuit consists of four main

components.
a a) Electric sources
➢ devices that provide
electricity.
➢ Eg: batteries or
generators.
10.1.1 Basic Components of an Electric Circuit

Simplest electric circuit consists of four main

components.
b) Electric appliances
➢ Eg: bulbs, motors
b ➢ used to do work
10.1.1 Basic Components of an Electric Circuit

Simplest electric circuit consists of four main

components.
c c) Switch
➢ used to control on
and off of the circuit
10.1.1 Basic Components of an Electric Circuit

Simplest electric circuit consists of four main

components.
d) Conducting wire
➢ used to connect all
the devices.
d
 10.1.2 Current and its Defined direction
✓There are many free - moving electrons in metals.
✓If the electric source is not connected, the
direction of the electrons are random.
 10.1.2 Current and its Defined direction
✓After an electric source is connected, there will be
a driving force pushing the electrons to go in one
direction and creates an electric current.
 10.1.2 Current and its Defined direction

• Before electrons were discovered, scientists thought

that positively charged particle flow out of the
positive pole and into the negative pole.
• Therefore, the direction of a current is defined to be
the directional movement of the positive charges.
• Later, scientists got to know that the flow of current
in a metal conductor is caused by directional
movement of electrons.
10.1.2 Current and its Defined direction
Current flow
Positive terminal to
negative terminal of the
electric source.
Electron flow
Negative terminal to
positive terminal of the
electric source
 Suggested Online Link
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjgR4QCOljg
Conventional Current and Electron Flow
10.1.3 Closed Circuits, Open Circuits and Short Circuits
 Closed Circuit

• Switch is closed.
• All components are connected to
form a complete return circuit.
• The bulbs also light up.
 Open Circuit

• Switch is opened / loose join /

broken wire
• Cannot form a complete return
circuit.
• The bulbs will not light up.
Short Circuit

• Two ends of an electric source

does not go through an electric
appliance but are connected
directly to conducting wires
(and a switch)
• Circuit will not work.
 Short Circuit
• Current flow will be huge
• Maybe cause damage due to
overheating in the electric
source and conducting wire.
• Fire may even break out of the
heating is severe

Two ends of an electric source should not be directly

connected by conducting wires under any circumstances !
10.1.3 Closed Circuits, Open Circuits and Short Circuits
 10.2.1 The Symbols of Circuit Devices
Symbols for circuit devices are standardized to simplify
description and communication
Conducting wire Voltmeter Ammeter
 10.2.1 The Symbols of Circuit Devices
Switch open Switch closed Bulb
 10.2.1 The Symbols of Circuit Devices
Cell Battery

Battery set
 10.2.1 The Symbols of Circuit Devices
Electric bell / Wire not Wire connected
Buzzer connected
 10.2.2 The circuit diagram

• Electric circuits can be represented by using circuit diagrams.

• Can you identify what the symbols in the circuit diagram
below represent?
 10.2.2 The circuit diagram

The basic conditions for drawing a circuit diagram

are:
1) Standard symbols are used
2) Connecting lines need to be straight
3) Circuit routes need to be conscise
(简洁）, neat and nice to look at.
 10.2.2 The circuit diagram

Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taszKVykMBQ
 10.2.2 The circuit diagram

Example:
 10.2.2 The circuit diagram

Example:
 10.2.2 The circuit diagram

Example:
 10.2.2 The circuit diagram

Example:
 10.2.2 The circuit diagram

Example:
 10.2.2 The circuit diagram

Example:
 10.3 Series Circuit and Parallel Circuit

How do you connect the electrical

components in a circuit?
 10.3 Series Circuit and Parallel Circuit

• You are given two light bulbs, connecting wires and switches.
• How can you connect the two light bulbs?
 Series Circuit
• Devices are connected one after
another.
• Electric currents flow on only one path
from positive terminal to negative
terminal of power source.
• Any of the switches can control all
appliances at the same time.
• If any of the devices broken, all the
appliances can’t function.
Parallel Circuit
• Devices are arranges side by side and
parallel to one another.
• There is more than one path for the flow
of electric current.
• Switch connected in primary road can
control all appliances.
• Switch connected in by – trail can only
control the appliances on its own.
• If one of the device broken, other device
can still work
 Parallel Circuit
Think about it! (Textbook page 184)
In the electric circuit shown in Fig.
10.16,
a) removing which conducting wire will
make the two bulbs in series?
Remove b
b) Changing the connecting end of
which wire will make the two bulbs
in parallel.
Wire c
 Activity 7 (pg 185 )
Tria Operation Method Observed
l Result
1 Close S2,S3 .Close S1 first,
then break off S1.
2 Close S1,S3 .Close S2 first,
then break off S2.

3 Close S1,S2 .Close S3 first,

then break off S3.

Conclusion : If any of the devices broken, all the appliances can’t function.
 Activity 8 (pg 186 )
Tria Operation Method Observed
l Result
1 Close S2,S3 .Close S1 first,
then break off S1.
2 Close S1,S3 .Close S2 first,
then break off S2.

3 Close S1,S2 .Close S3 first,

then break off S3.

Conclusion : If one of the device broken, other device can still work