Transcript File
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
To use a model to represent electricity
The circuit diagram shows a series circuit with a motor and a
lamp
It shows 3 positions where the ammeter was connected (with
values shown)
What do you notice about
the current?
Current remains the same
– 1.2A leaves the battery,
and 1.2A returns
Each component in series
receives the same current
(1.2A)
1.2A
+- +-
A
A
M
A
1.2A
1.2A
Electricity is a difficult topic to explain because you cannot
see it!
To help explain electricity we can use a model – a model
uses things we understand that work in a similar way to the
things we don’t understand
Look at the power station
model of electricity – stick
it into your book and
answer the questions
Battery – the coal mine
Bulb(s) – the power station
Electric wires – the tracks
Electrons – the coal trucks
Current (flow of electrons) – number of coal trucks
Voltage (push provided) – how much coal the trucks contain
and the push they are given around the circuit
Switch – workmen who can break or mend the tracks
If another bulb is added the current is reduced – the coal trucks
give half their coal to one power station, and give the other
half to the second power station
If another bulb is added the voltage changes, depending on
the resistance of the bulb – e.g. one power station might take
lots of the truck’s coal (high resistance) leaving just a small
amount of coal for the other power station (lower resistance)
Model not perfect – only describes series circuits / electrons
don’t really flow around (only their charge passes) etc…
Your task is to come up with your own model for electricity in
a series and parallel circuit
Think about how you will represent the cell / switch /bulb /
wires
How will you model current and voltage?
E.g. you could do the number of
people entering a football stadium to
watch Arsenal - people represent
electrons; the ticket they carry could
be the energy which they transfer at
the gate; the people always go home
and then get a new ticket etc…