ZingPath: Circuits

A simple circuit consists of a battery, a switch, and a load, such as a resistor, light bulb or bell. When the switch is closed, electric current flows and affects the load. For example, a bulb will illuminate or a bell will ring. A battery is a form of stored chemical energy. When a closed circuit is created, the chemical energy from the battery creates an electrical current. A circuit is closed when there is a complete pathway for the current to follow. If electric current passes through a load, the energy can be converted into heat, light, sound, or mechanical energy.

A short circuit is caused when a pathway is created that allows current to flow through a circuit with very low electrical resistance. If the resistance of the wire is very small and the applied voltage is great enough, an abnormally high current will flow in the wire. Due to the high current, a large amount of power will be dissipated by the wire and battery, which will cause their temperature to increase and they may burn out.

A short circuit is caused when a pathway is created that allows current to flow through a circuit with very low electrical resistance. If the resistance of the wire is very small and the applied voltage is great enough, an abnormally high current will flow in the wire. Due to the high current, a large amount of power will be dissipated by the wire and battery, which will cause their temperature to increase and they may burn out.

Electric current is the flow of charge carriers, usually electrons, through a conductor such as a wire. Current can be measured using an ammeter and is measured in amperes (often shortened to amps). An ampere is the measure of the amount of charge passing a point during a unit of time.