The 'Simply Super' Circuit Board



The Simple Circuit Board

Dr. Michael H. Suckley & Mr. Paul A. Klozik

Email: MAP@

Materials: (see page labeled Materials List)

The Simple Circuit Board “S.C.B.” was designed to provide an inexpensive circuit board that can be used to answer the following questions associated with circuits.

What is a circuit? What are conductors? What is a switch? What is a fuse? What are volts? What are amperes? What is a battery? What is a resistor? What are the characteristics of a parallel circuit? What are the characteristics of a series circuit?

These instructional materials were developed for teachers and may need to be modified for student use. Colored masters of this handout, with answers, may be downloaded from: .

( – MAP Company – Teaching Materials – Electricity)

Background

An electric circuit requires a minimum of three components:

1. A pathway or conductor, on which the electrons can flow.

2. A source of electrons, such as a battery or a generator.

3. An object for the electrons to act on, such as a toaster or a television set. The circuit leads electrons in a continuous path. The flow continues as long as the driving force acts. This flow can be described using the following terms.

a. Pressure that cause the current to flow (Volts).

b. Rate of the current flow (Amperes).

c. Resistance of the conductor to the flow (Ohms).

Building the “SCB”

1. Obtain materials for the SCB.

2. Place a magnet on a glue dot and remove with the glue dot attached to the magnet.

3. Place the magnet on the card with the “SCB” printed on it. Push firmly for greatest adhesion. Repeat for all magnets indicated.

4. Making the bulb unit:

a. bend two paperclips into an L shape and place on either side of a light bulb.

b. Attach with heat shrink tubing.

c. Wrap wires from light bulb around paperclip

d. Repeat to make three Bulb units.

5. Make two connecting wires, black and red, by wire wrapping a paperclip to each end of the wire. Once completed insert one end, of each wire, into the battery.

You are now ready to use the SCB!

Parallel Circuits

Building a Parallel Circuit

1. Place the paperclips as indicated.

Your “S.C.B.” should look like the figure.

2. The paperclip between master and 1b is our switch. Open it; do not connect the paperclip, between master and 1b.

Qualitative Characteristics of Parallel Circuits

1. Now connect the battery, positive or red wire “+”, to 1a and the negative to master.

2. Close the switch and observe and record. _____________

3. Lift bulb unit 1 just enough to break the circuit - so that the bulb will not light. Describe the effect on the other bulbs.

Replace the bulb unit.________________________________.

4. Repeat step 2 for bulb unit 2 and 3.

Quantitative Characteristics of Parallel Circuits

Voltage

1. Now connect the battery, positive or red wire, “+”, to 1a and the negative to master.

2. Close the switch, Bulbs should light. Observe and record. __________________________

3. Measure the resulting voltage as indicated in the chart.

|Placement of Volt Meter |Voltage |

|Black – Red (Across) |Bulbs | |

|1b -1a |1 |4.3 |

|2b – 2a |2 |4.2 |

|3b – 3a |3 |4.3 |

|1b – 3a |1+2+3 |4.3 |

|Power Supply (Master – 1a) |1+2+3 |4.3 |

2. What do you observe about Voltage in a series circuit? _________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Amperage

1. Set-up the circuit as shown and connect the battery.

2. Close the switch. Bulbs should light. Slide bulb assembly to “break circuit” as indicated in the chart. Bulbs should light. Connect the Ammeter, in series, as indicated in the chart. Record amperage

|Insert Ammeter (Between) |Bulbs |Amperage |

|Bulb-3b |3 |.20 |

|Bulb-2b |2 |.20 |

|Bulb-1b |1 |.20 |

|Master-1b |1+2+3 |.60 |

2. What conclusion can you make about the amperage in a parallel circuit?_______________

_________________________________________________________________________

Series Circuits

Building a Series Circuit

1. Place the paperclips as indicated. Your “S.C.B.” should look like the figure.

2. The paperclip between master and 1b is our switch. Open; do not connect the paperclip, between master and 1b.

Qualitative Characteristics of Series Circuits

1. Now the battery positive or the red wire, "+", to 1a and the black wire to master. Leave it there for this activity.

2. Close the switch, observe and record your observations. ______________________________

3. Lift bulb unit 1 just enough to break the circuit - so that the bulb will not light. Describe the effect on the other bulbs. (Replace the Bulb unit each time) __________________________________.

4. Repeat step 2 for bulb unit 2 and 3.

Quantative Characteristics of Series Circuits

Voltage

1. Now connect the battery, positive or red wire “+”, to 1a and the negative to master.

2. Close the switch, Bulbs should light. Observe and record. _________________________

3. Measure the resulting voltage as indicated in the chart.

|Placement of Volt Meter |Voltage |

|Black – Red (Across) |Bulbs | |

|1b – 1a |1 |1.6 |

|2a – 2b |2 |1.6 |

|3b – 3a |3 |1.6 |

|1b – 3a |1+2+3 |4.8 |

|Power Supply (Master – 1a) |1+2+3 |4.8 |

2. What conclusion can you make about the Voltage in a series circuit? _______________

________________________________________________________________________

Amperage

1. Set-up the circuit as shown and close the switch. Bulbs should light. Slide bulb assembly to “break circuit” as indicated in the chart. Bulbs should light. Connect the Ammeter, in series, as indicated in the chart. Record amperage.

|Insert Ammeter (Between) |Bulbs |Amperage |

|Bulb-3b |3 |.13 |

|Bulb-2a |2 |.13 |

|Bulb-1b |1 |.13 |

|Master-1b |1 + 2 + 3 |.13 |

2. What do you observe about Amperage in a series circuit? __________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Combined Circuit (A circuit containing Series and Parallel)

Note: This parallel and series circuit combines the characteristics of both the series and parallel circuits.

Building a Combined Circuit

1. Place the paperclips as indicated. Your “S.C.B.” should look like the figure.

2. Now the battery positive or the red wire, "+", to 1a and the black wire to master. Leave it there for this activity.

3. The paperclip between master and 1b is our switch. Open; do not connect the paperclip, between master and 1b.

4. Unfold a paperclip and bend it into an “L” shape.

Use it as a conductor between 1b-3a.

Do not let it touch any other spot.

Qualitative Characteristics of a Combined Circuit

1. Connect the battery record your observations.__________

Quantative Characteristics of a Combined Circuit

Voltage

1. Setup the circuit as indicated in the figure, connect the battery and close the switch. Bulbs should light.

2. Measure the voltage by connecting the volt meter as indicated in the table.

|Placement of Volt Meter |Voltage |Type of |

| | |Circuit |

|Black – Red (Across) |Bulbs | | |

|1b -1a |1 |3.9 |Parallel |

|2b – 2a |2 |1.9 |Series |

|3a - 3b |3 |1.9 |Series |

|3a – 1a |2+3 |3.9 |Series |

|Power Supply (Master – 1a) |1+2+3 |3.9 |Combined |

4. What conclusion can you make about the voltage in a Combined Circuit? ____________

________________________________________________________________________

Amperage

1. Set-up the circuit as shown, connect the battery and close the switch. Bulbs should light. Connect the Ammeter, in series, as indicated in the chart.

2. Slide bulb assembly to “break circuit” as indicated in the chart. Insert ammeter to complete circuit as indicated. Bulbs should light. Record amperage.

|Insert Ammeter (Between) |Bulbs |Amperage |Type of Circuit |

|Bulb -3a |3 |.15 |Series |

|Bulb -2a |2 |.15 |Series |

|1b – 3a |2 |.15 |Series |

| Bulb -1b |1 |.36 |Parallel |

|Master – 1b |1+2+3 |.41 |Combined |

3. What conclusion can you make about the Amperage in a Combined Circuit? ___________

_________________________________________________________________________

Investigating Conductors

1. Set-up the “S.C.B.” as shown. This will allow only the first bulb to light when the battery is connected.

2. By placing the paperclips as indicated, 1b and the master, you will have made a conductivity tester. The two paper clips will be used to hold a fuse, test for conductivity or act as electrodes.

Solutions

1. Carefully dip these paper clips into various solutions to test for conductivity.

2. The relative brightness of the bulb is an indication of the degree of conductivity. Conduct several tests to determine conductivity of several solutions. Determine the brightness of each solution as: excellent, good, fair, poor, and none.

3. Clean electrodes, (large paper clips), after each test by dipping them into distilled water and drying them. Take special care not to get the “S.C.B.” wet.

Solids

1. Test various materials around the classroom to determine which of them would be conductors. Conduct your test by carefully touching the two electrodes to each object. Record your observations___________________________________________________.

2. The relative brightness of the bulb is an indication of the degree of conductivity. Conduct several tests on these materials to determine brightness such as: excellent, good, fair, poor, and none. Record your observations___________________________________________.

Diodes

1. Place a diode in place of the fuse. Close the master switch and observe._______________

2. Remove the diode, flip it end for end, and then replace, test and observe.

________________________________________________________________________

Fuses

1. Place a single strand of steel wool, number 2 or coarse, in the paperclip connector.

2. Connect the current to the circuit and carefully observe the fuse.

a. Add paperclips to 1b – 2b and 1a – 2a to light bulb 2 carefully observe the fuse.

b. Add paperclips to 2b – 3b and 2a – 3a to light bulb 3 carefully observe the fuse..

c. Observe the number of light bulbs that can be lit before the fuse burns out.

Record your observations__________________________________________________

Resistors

1. Place one then two resistor in parallel, in the paperclip connectors, as indicated and observe the brightness of the bulb. ______________________________________

______________________________________

2. Place one then two resistor resistors in series, as indicated, and observe the brightness of the bulb.

______________________________________

______________________________________

Materials

Simple Circuit Board,

7- Small magnets - - - Pac of 10 for $1.00 plus shipping

7- Small paperclips - - $1.69 per 500

2- Connecting wires - - Radio Shack Model: 278-1301   - Catalog #: 278-1301 $4.99

7- Glue dots - - - - - - -

Part Number XD41-1000 Ph. 239-437-8255

3- Christmas lights - -  CHR/93207 - $2.95 / 50 lights

6- Small paper clips $1.69 per 500

3 - 3/8” x ½’ clear heat shrink tubing - - -

Accessory Pack

#2 steel wool, 3 - 10 ohm resistors, 1 diode, 1 tooth pick

Set of conductivity solutions:

10% NaCl solution (10g. /100ml)

2.4% NaCl solution (2.4g/100ml.)

5% Sugar solution (5g/100ml.)

Distilled water

Polaroid Polapulse battery

Meter - 50LE Multimeter

Note

1. You may use any 6 volt power supply for the circuit boards. We have found that the 6 volt Polaroid Polapulse battery, obtained from a Polaroid film pack, works well for a power source.

2. All references such as 1a or 2b refer to specific locations or points on the “Simple Circuit Board” References such as 2b-3b refer to specific connections between two points. The label 1, 2, and 3 represent the three Christmas tree light bulbs.

The MAP Team

The MAP Team is composed of three educators with approximately 100 years of exemplary science teaching between them at grade levels from third grade through college. They have worked together for the last ten years to encourage and promote physics education in the elementary and middle schools in the Midwest. The goals of the workshops are to:

• Enhance upper elementary and middle school teacher's understanding of physics concepts

• Provide teachers with hands-on heads-on activities for effectively teaching these concepts to their students.

• Provide the necessary integration of physical science skills with classroom activities to promote learning.

The specific content areas of the workshops are:

Measurement Magnetism Light Electricity Energy Motion Heat

Sound Color Fluids Matter Simple Machines

The presenters for these workshops are certified Operation Physics trainers. All of these teachers have presented National, State, and local workshops. As a team, they have presented over 150 workshops in Physical Science during the past eight years. Each of these presenters is enthusiastic about the improvement of science education.

Dr. Michael Suckley has over 40 years of teaching experience at middle, high school and university level, Professor at Macomb Community College for Physical and Environmental Science. Author of two physical science textbooks, “Analyzing the Physical Universe”, and “Physics Is FUNdamental”. He has been an Instructional Design Consultant for the National Association of Sickle Cell Disease, College of Nursing Wayne State University, Macomb County Intermediate School District, and Utica Community Schools and has developed Instructional Materials for Education Projects.

Mr. Paul A. Klozik has over 36 years of teaching experience at the high school level and Community College. 1986 Teacher of the Year for Warren Consolidated Public Schools. 1989 PASCO Teaching Excellence Award winner. Developed and presented workshops for science teachers for Warren Consolidated Schools. Introduced and promoted Science Olympics at Sterling Heights H.S. Headed the Steering Committee for district science curriculum. Instructor at Macomb Mathematics Science and Technology Center. Developed and taught courses that are interrelated between Physics, Mathematics, Environmental Science, Computers, Research, and IDS (Inter discipline Studies).

Each of these educators has an intense desire to help in the improvement of science education. If you would like to learn more about the MAP team or you would like the team to develop a customized workshop for your teachers and visit your school district please contact us.

To Contact the Team

Michael Suckley Phone: 810-750-2373 E-mail: DrSuckley@

Paul Klozik Phone: 586-293-5424 E-mail: paklozik@

Or

Email the Team at: MAP@

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a. b. c.

Obtained from a Polaroid film pack.

Polaroid Battery

To read Amperage:

1. Set dial to 10A

2. Plug black wire into COM –

3. Plug Red wire into 10 ADC

To read voltage:

1. Set dial to DCV 20

2. Plug black wire into COM –

3. Plug Red wire into +V

Parallel Series

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Parallel

Polaroid

Polapulse

Battery

Polaroid

Polapulse

Battery

Ammeter Voltmeter

Polaroid

Polapulse

Battery

Series

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