Castle Electricity Section 2

Study Notes

Resistors in a circuit maintain equal inflow and outflow rates of charge. The charge isn't used up passing through the resistor.
Bulbs and resistors impede charge flow. Resistors are added to circuits because they are more reliable than bulbs; they don't heat up or burn out as easily.
Starbursts and arrowtails indicate how brightness and flow rate change with the number of bulbs in a circuit. Fewer bulbs = brighter = greater flow rate. More bulbs = dimmer = less flow rate.
Resistors are circuit components made of materials that regulate/limit the flow of electrical current. These materials are intermediate between conductors and insulators.
Resistance is the property of a resistor that specifies how well it resists the flow of charge. Low resistance allows charge to flow easily. High resistance impedes charge flow. Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).
Current is the flow rate of charge, measured in amperes (A). Flow rate is not the same as speed; flow rate is the net amount of charge that passes in a specific time, while speed is distance travelled in a specific time.

Long bulbs have more resistance than round bulbs. This means the long bulb did not light as quickly as the round bulb.

Filaments are the thinnest wires.
Wires in the bulb are thicker than filaments, but thinner than connecting wires.
Connecting wires are the thickest wires.
The filament in the round bulb is thicker than the filament in the long bulb.
The most difficult flow rate is in the long bulb’s filaments.
The least difficult flow rate is in the connecting wires.

Series Circuits: Bulbs/resistors are arranged in a single line. The charge must pass through each component in the circuit. Adding more components in series increases the total resistance. This makes it more difficult for charge to flow.
Parallel Circuits: Bulbs/resistors are connected side-by-side. The charge has multiple pathways to travel. Adding more components in parallel decreases the total resistance, making it easier for charge to flow.

More resistors in series = longer single resistance (4 straws taped end to end).
Greater resistance for charge flow.
All moving charges pass through every resistor in the series.
Every part of the charge is resisted every time it passes through the resistor.
More resistors in series = single longer resistor = harder flow rate.

More resistors in parallel have a thicker single resistance (4 straws taped side-by-side).
Less resistance to charge flow.
The moving charge is split into parts.
Each part will pass through only one resistor; movement is only resisted once.
More resistors in parallel = single thicker resistor = easier flow rate.