Salsabila Ahmed
February, 11, 2012
THE ENERGY BALL REPORT
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Parallel Vs. Series
In order to understand parallel and series circuits, we must first know what a circuit is. A circuit is a closed path that allows electric current to flow. Having a circuit that can only sustain one load is impractical in our society (3). Since there are so many houses and buildings to light up, having a circuit per light is just not possible. For this reason there are series and parallel circuits. Both these circuits can carry more than one load. The major difference is that, in series the electric current only has one path to flow while in parallel it has several. Looking at the above diagram, we see that the series circuit is moving in a counter clockwise motion, this means that the current can only go in one direction. In this particular picture, there are three resistances connected to the batteries. The main drawback to series is, if there’s a breakage in one part of the wiring all the resisters will not work. Looking at the parallel, we again have three resisters but they are arranged “parallel” to one another. This allows the electric current to have more than one path to flow, so if there is a breakage in one part it won’t affect the other areas. The disadvantage to parallel circuits is that, the more loads put on, the more the current goes up. This is dangerous because, if the current is continuously increasing, at one point it can cause a fire (5).
Energy Ball
The energy ball experiment done in class is a fun way to learn about circuits. We saw that that when we touched the ball in a certain area, it lit up and made a hum sound. This is because we had created a series circuit. We as humans are conductors of electricity, this mean that under some circumstances we can transfer electric current. The human body is 60% water, but the water isn't totally pure. Infact the water has dissolved ions which allows electric current to flow, this is why the human body is a semi-conductor (6). In the class, we also made a parallel circuit, we had two energy balls and when one was not working it didn’t affect the other, because the current could take another path. However under some circumstances, humans are not conductors of electricity. Grounding, which means a connection to the earth, happens when a conductor is present to carry the electric flow. Example of an object that is a good conductor is copper (6). If a person is holding copper wiring while having the energy ball in hand, the ball will not activate because the individual is now grounded. The electric current will not go through them, but instead will go through the copper wiring and straight into the ground.
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Self- Reflection
Doing this report, I have come to a conclusion that I personally do not know enough about blogging or electronic learning. This is the first time that I have ever blogged and I found it hard at first, because I’m not so good at computers. But by doing more of it throughout the semester, I want to take initiative and try something new (2). I don’t know whether or not I will like blogging but I’m willing to try it because I know that in the future, electronic learning will be a part of my life.
Another thing that I will have to work on is using my agenda more effectively. Even though I write all my work and test dates in my agenda, I think that by having personal deadlines will keep me more organized and focused (2).
References:
1. Energy Ball. Stevespanglerscience. Retrieved February 11, 2012, from www.stevespanglerscience.com/img/cache/02268c260f8fff6f7502dd93a20e39be/WENB-250.jpg
2. Learning Skills. GMB Services Home. Retrieved February 11, 2012, from http://www.gmbservices.ca/Jr/LearningSkills
3. Parallel circuits - advantages, power, current, voltage and effective resistance. Radioactivity and Electricity Teaching Resources | Furry Elephant. Retrieved February 11, 2012, from http://www.furryelephant.com/content/electricity/parallel-circuits/
4. Series circuit - definition of series circuit by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary. Retrieved February 11, 2012, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/series
5. What are "series" and "parallel" circuits? : SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS. All About Circuits : Free Electric Circuits Textbooks. Retrieved February 11, 2012, from http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_5/1.html
6. The Ground Wire. hyperphysics. Retrieved February 11, 2012, from hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/bregnd.html
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