Week 3, Activity 2

Series & Parallel

Duration: 1 hour
Content Focus: Science
Description Students will investigate the difference between series and parallel circuits by diagraming and constructing examples of each.
Goal Students will understand the differences between parallel and series circuits.
Objectives Students will...
  • draw and recognize parallel and series circuits using electrical diagrams.
  • construct the two types of circuits using wires, bulbs, batteries, sockets, and switches.
Standards Indiana Academic Standards

2.1.1 Manipulate an object to gain additional information about it.
2.1.5 Demonstrate the ability to work with a team but still reach and communicate one's own findings.
2.1.6 Use tools to investigate, observe, measure, design, and build things.
2.2.4 Assemble constructions using things such as interlocking blocks and erector sets.
2.2.5 Draw pictures and write brief descriptions that correctly portray key features of an object.
2.6.1 Investigate that most objects are made of parts.
3.1.2 Participate in different types of guided scientific investigations, such as observing objects
and events and collecting specimens of analysis.
3.1.3 Keep and report records of investigations and observations using tools, such as journals, charts, graphs, and computers.
3.1.4 Discuss the results of investigations and consider the explanations of others.
3.1.5 Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively while respecting the ideas of others and communicating one's own conclusions about findings.
3.2.3 Keep a notebook that describes observations and is understandable weeks or months later.
3.2.6 Make sketches and write descriptions to aid in explaining procedures or idea.
3.6.1 Investigate how and describe that when parts are put together, they can do things that they could not do by themselves.
3.6.2 Investigate how and describe that something may not work if some of its parts are missing.
4.2.3 Make simple and safe electrical connections with various plugs, sockets, and terminals.
4.2.5 Write descriptions of investigations, using observations and other evidence as support of explanations.
4.2.7 Identify better reasons than "Everybody knows that…" or "I just know" and discount such reasons when given by others.
4.6.1 Demonstrate that in an object consisting of many parts, the parts usually influence or interact with one another.
4.6.2 Show that something may not work well, or at all, if a part of it is missing, broken, worn out, mismatched, or incorrectly connected.
5.2.3 Choose appropriate materials for making simple mechanical constructions and repairing things.
5.2.4 Keep a notebook that describes observations and is understandable weeks or months later.
5.6.1 Recognize and describe that systems contain objects as well as processes that interact with each other.

Materials & Preparation Each group will need:
  • 10 wires
  • 2-3 flashlight bulbs
  • 2-3 D cell batteries or 1 lantern battery
  • paper clip switches
  • socket
Preparation:
  • Have all of the materials arranged in neat piles on the back table.
  • Construct a model of each type of circuit for a teacher demonstration.
  • Draw an electrical diagram for each type of circuit on the board.
Grouping Whole class, groups of 2-3 students
Procedures Introduction:
  1. Discuss as a class:
    • What do you know about an electrical circuit?
    • What do you need in order to construct a basic electrical circuit?
    • In a simple circuit, what would happen if you removed the light bulb? Why?
    • (pointing to the drawings of the series and parallel circuits)What is different about these two drawings?
    • (pointing to series drawing)What do you think will happen if one of the lightbulbs is removed? Why?
    • (pointing to the parallel drawing) What do you think will happen if one of the lightbulbs is removed? Why?

  2. Tell the class that they will be doing some experiments to find out the answers to those questions.
Student Exploration
  1. Divide students into groups of 2-3. Give each group a bag of materials.

  2. Have students construct both a series circuit and a parallel circuit based on the teacher models. Have students draw diagrams of their circuits in their journals.

  3. Encourage students to experiment with each circuit by removing different bulbs and observing the result. Students should record these trials and their results in their journals.
Closure:
  1. Review and discuss what the groups discovered on their own about parallel and series circuits.
    • In what type of circuit is there only one path through which the charges can flow?
    • In the circuit described in question 1, what happens to all the light bulbs in the circuit if one light bulb goes off?
    • In what type of circuit is there more than one path through which the charges can flow?
    • What are the similarities and differences between a parallel and a series circuit.
    • Why are the circuits in buildings usually parallel circuits?
Assessment Did the students...
  • draw and recognize parallel and series circuits using electrical diagrams?
  • construct the two types of circuits using wires, bulbs, batteries, sockets, and switches?
  • participate in class discussions?
Extensions Discuss what kinds of circuits are used in homes and why.
Special Needs Adaptations
  • Have students create a comparison/contrast chart on the board for parallel and series circuits.
  • Teach each type of circuit on a different day. Spend the third day comparing the two.

Week 3: | Electricity and Tennis Balls | Making an Electrical Circuit | Series & Parallel | Conductors & Insulators | Making a Flashlight |

Physics Unit "Quick Jump"
Unit Main Page Unit Overview Unit Introduction Unit Conclusion
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Magnet Centers Electricity Centers
Bibliography Teacher Background Standards Vocabulary