Series circuit: The diagram below demonstrates how electrons travel through a D-cell battery, wires, and light
bulbs. This is a series circuit because there is only one path for the electrons to pass through all the components
which are in “series” or connected one after the other. Each light bulb in the diagram shares or uses this power
source. If one of the light bulbs is unscrewed or goes out, the closed circuit will be interrupted (or will open) and
the other light bulbs in the series will not illuminate (or light). Something interesting to note is that electrons
travel out of the negative side of the D-cell battery to each of the light bulbs, one at a time, until the electrons
make a round-trip back to and through the positive side of the power source.
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Circuit
Parallel Circuit
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Parallel Circuit: In a parallel circuit, electrons have more than one path
on which they travel. In the diagram to the right, the light bulbs are powered
by a battery and the electrons/electricity flow in more than one path. If any
one of the three light bulbs is unscrewed or goes out, the remaining light bulbs
will not be affected and will still illuminate (or light up). Essentially, just because
one bulb is defective doesn’t mean the other two will not light up since they are
still separately connected to the D-cell battery (Hint: See if you can trace where
each light bulb connects on its own path or electrical circuit with the power source.
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