Circuits, Circuits, Circuits!

A circuit is a combination of an energy source, an energy transfering device, and an energy receiver. A circuit only works if there are no gaps. When there is a gap it is called an open circuit and when there is not, it is called a closed circuit. A simple circuit contains a battery, wires, and a lightbulb/motor (etc.). A series circuit must have more than one energy receiver, and only one electrical path for the current to flow through. A parallel circuit has two or more energy pathways. For example, if a lightbulb went out in a closed series circuit, the other one would too, because the electric current can't flow through. But for a closed parallel circuit, if a lightbulb went out then the other energy receiver would continue to work because the electrictiy still has a path to travel on. Personally, event though I think that all circuits are cool, parallel circuits are the most convienient for most things. Say you had a series circuit bundle of Christmas tree lights and one went out. That would make all the lights go off! If you had a parallel circuit rather than a series, you wouldn't have a huge problem if the same scenario occured. By Julia Roy