HOME	Understanding currents and circuits

WHAT IS A CIRCUIT?

A circuit is a path that electricity goes through. A circuit has three basic parts: 1) a source, such as a battery, 2) an output device, such as a motor or light bulb, 3) a connection, such as a wire, between the source and the output device.

If any part of the circuit is removed, such as a wire, the current cannot flow. The circuit is then considered broken or open. When the connection is made again, the circuit is considered made or closed.

A light switch opens and closes a circuit to turn lights on and off. The beginning and the end of the circuit must be connected. This means that if you attach one end of a wire to a battery and the other end of the wire to a light bulb nothing would happen, because there is no connection from the bulb to the other end of the battery.

Find out what is actually inside a battery.