Other
Southwest Tech: Combination Circuit
Explains what a combination circuit is and how to calculate the resistance and amperage values in this type of circuit.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Earth's Energy
A hands-on lesson plan for helping students understand simple circuits, series circuits, and parallel circuits, and the differences between the three.
Concord Consortium
Mobile Inquiry Technology: Parallel Versus Series Circuits
For this lesson, students actively investigate the differences between parallel and series circuits and how the brightness of bulbs is affected.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Parallel Wires
A pair of parallel wires serves to illustrate a principle that French Scientist Andre-Marie Ampere was the first to comprehend, back in 1820. (Java tutorial)
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How a Hybrid Works
In Lesson 4, students conclude the Research and Revise step of the Legacy Cycle, as they investigate different forms of hybrid engines as well as briefly conclude a look at the different forms of potential energy. Students apply basic...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Current Electricity: Circuit Connections: Series Circuits
When two or more electrical devices in a circuit can be connected, it is considered a series connection or a parallel connection. When all the devices are connected using series connections, the circuit is referred to as a series...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Calculating Equivalent Resistance for Series and Parallel Resistor
Practice finding the equivalent resistance for parallel and series resistor configurations in this four-problem quiz.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Lighting the Way: Electrical Circuits and Lamp Wiring
Through a series of self-guided activities, students will explore basic electrical circuits and then build a working model of a circuit through the process of wiring a lamp. They will understand the flow of electrons through a circuit,...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Ac Circuits
A very comprehensive site organized well with many topics dealing with AC circuits.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Lights On!
Students in this activity will build simple circuits using a battery, wires, and light bulbs. This activity allows students to examine how electricity is conducted through a light bulb using a battery as a power source. Students will...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Resistors in Series and Parallel Review
Review how to find the equivalent resistance for resistors in parallel and series configurations. Recall the current and voltage properties of series and parallel configurations of resistors.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Steady State Direct Current With Batteries & Resistors Only
In this interactive tutorial, students will analyze series circuits and parallel circuits along with complex circuits composed of elements in series and parallel. Learners will use schematics to help them understand these circuits....
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: One Path
Students learn that charge movement through a circuit depends on the resistance and arrangement of the circuit components. In a hands-on activity, students build and investigate the characteristics of series circuits. In another...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Batteries and Bulbs
For the teacher planning a lesson or for the student preparing for a project or presentation. This page describes an activity in which parallel and series circuits are constructed using batteries and bulbs. Complete activity directions...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Resistor Combinations
At this site from Georgia State University parallel and series connections of resistors are explained and illustrated. Equations for computing the overal voltage, current, and resistance of such circuits are given and explained.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Electric Currents and Circuits
This cooperative learning activity for intermediate to junior high students has them create various electrical circuits in order to understand electricity.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Wired for Learning
As part of a unit on electrical circuits, students will work in collaborative groups to create a video of how to construct parallel and series circuits. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ohm's Law 2
This extension to the Ohm's Law I activity, students will observe just how much time it takes to use up the "juice" in a battery, and if it is better to use batteries in series or parallel.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Parallel in a Series Circuit
Determine the amount of power dissipated in a resistor in a complex circuit.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Series of Capacitors in Parallel
Determine the total energy stored on a group of capacitors in a combination circuit.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Resistors in Series and Parallel
Kids learn about resistors in series and parallel in the science of electricity and physics including equations, circuits, and example problems.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Ohm's Law and Current Law
At this site from Georgia State University Ohm's law is stated in words and using equations. A JavaScript form allows for multiple practice problems with instant feedback and reinforcement. Kirchoff's current law is stated and...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Turning on the Lights
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this lesson students learn the parts of a circuit, build series and parallel circuits, learn about insulators and conductors, and more in this interactive multimedia flipchart.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introduction to Electricity by Creating a Light Up Quiz Board
In this activity, students will learn how to create a simple circuit. They will create a matching quiz board that will light up when the correct pair is selected using electricity vocabulary from the text.