Electric Circuits

What Is an Electric Circuit?

An electric circuit is a complete path through which electric current flows.

• A circuit must form a closed loop for electricity to flow.
• Circuits have basic parts:


      🔹 Power source (like a battery)


      🔹 Wires to carry the current


     🔹 Load (like a bulb or motor that uses electricity)


     🔹 Switch to open or close the path

• Current is the flow of electrons and is measured in amperes (A).
• Voltage (measured in volts) is the “push” that moves the current.

Types of Circuits

There are different ways to build circuits, and how they’re wired affects how electricity flows.

• Series Circuit:


     🔹 Components are connected in one path.


     🔹 If one part breaks, the whole circuit stops.

• Parallel Circuit:


     🔹 Each part has its own path to the power source.


     🔹 If one part breaks, others still work.

If a circuit is open (disconnected), current stops flowing. 

Birds don’t get electrocuted on a wire because they’re not completing a circuit—there’s no path for the current to flow.

Fun Facts

Here are some interesting facts about electric circuits:

• Our nervous system uses tiny electrical signals — your brain is full of mini circuits!
• Thanks to efficient circuit design, LED lights use way less energy than traditional bulbs.
• Circuit boards are found in phones, robots, cars, and even refrigerators.
• The first battery-powered circuit was created by Alessandro Volta in 1800!

Review

Let’s quickly recap what we learned about electric circuits:

• What is needed to keep current flowing? Closed Loop
• What unit measures electric current? Amperes
• What kind of circuit stops working if one bulb breaks? Series
• What is the “push” that moves current? Voltage