Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Electric Currents and Circuits
This cooperative learning activity for intermediate to junior high pupils has them create various electrical circuits in order to understand electricity.
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Electricity Circuit Diagram
This basic electricity circuit diagram shows a resistor and ammeter in series, a voltmeter in parallel and a switch with a cell for charging purposes.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Dc Circuits: Series Parallel Resistances (Sparks 3)
Answer questions regarding voltage drops across resistors and currents through them in such circuits. Practice calculating the effective resistances of a set of resistances in series and parallel.
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.
Science4Fun
Science4 Fun: Electronic Circuit
What is an electronic circuit? Resource provides a discussion of series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits plus more.
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Dollhouse
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the analysis of parallel circuits in the context of a realistic household circuit using our interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also available. [3:24]
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Measuring Voltage in Series Parallel Circuits
Measuring voltage drops across resistances in series-parallel circuits requires an understanding of both series and parallel circuit behavior. Learn more with this tutorial.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Measuring Current in Parallel Circuits
When measuring the current in parallel circuits, compare the circuit's total current with the current through just one resistor.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Calculating Current in Parallel Circuits
Use Ohm's Law to calculate the current in parallel circuits.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Calculating Current in Series Parallel Circuits
Use resistance formulas to determine the total resistances of the series and parallel parts. Then, use Ohm's Law to calculate the voltage drops across and currents through each part.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Calculating Voltage in Series Parallel Circuits
Use the series and parallel resistance formulas to determine the total resistances of the parts. Then, use Ohm's Law to calculate the voltage drops across each part.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Earth's Energy
A hands-on lesson for helping students understand simple circuits, series circuits, and parallel circuits, and the differences between the three.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Resistances in Series and Parallel Circuits
A teacher lesson plan is provided here. This page describes two activities in which the effect of multiple resistors on the current and overall resistance of both series and parallel circuits are investigated. Complete activity...
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.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Bulbs & Batteries Side by Side
We are surrounded everyday by circuits that utilize "in parallel" and "in series" circuitry. Complicated circuits designed by engineers are made of many simpler parallel and series circuits. In this hands-on activity, students build...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ohm's Law I
Students will work to increase the intensity of a light bulb by testing batteries in series and parallel circuits. It analyzes Ohm's Law, power, parallel and series circuits, and ways to measure voltage and current.
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...
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...
Other
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences: Resonance
This site contains a straightforward definition of resonance in an electrical circuit.
Boston University
Elementary Physics: Current and Resistance
A general summary of electrical resistance including a comparison of AC and DC current.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Bulbs & Batteries in a Row
Everyday we are surrounded by circuits that use "in parallel" and "in series" circuitry. Complicated circuits designed by engineers are composed of many simpler parallel and series circuits. During this activity, students build a simple...
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.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Touch Screen
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about how capacitances add up in series and parallel by exploring the physics behind a touch-screen device using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also...