Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Series and Parallel Circuits
A teacher lesson plan which could be easily converted into an idea for a student project or presentation. Ideal for pre-high school students. This page describes an activity in which the history of electric circuits, the nature of...
TryEngineering
Try Engineering: Series and Parallel Circuits
The core of this lesson plan is simple circuits and the differences between parallel and series circuit design. Students perform experiments to test the differences between the two circuit designs using low voltage light bulbs.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Parallel Circuits
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In this module, students learn what a parallel circuit is and how it differs from a series circuit.
National Geographic
National Geographic: Building Circuits
In this lesson, students build series and parallel circuits and test their conductivity. Includes handouts with diagrams, and a vocabulary list with definitions.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Current Electricity: Combination Circuits
Explains what a combination circuit is, reviews the features of series and parallel circuits, and demonstrates how to analyze combination circuits. Includes detailed examples and some problems for students to try. There is also a link to...
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Combined Series Parallel Circuits
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Presents methods for solving electrical circuit problems where there is a combination of series and parallel circuit features.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Calculating Equivalent Resistance for Series and Parallel Resistor
Practice finding the equivalent resistance for parallel and series resistor configurations in this four-problem quiz.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Introduction to Circuits and Ohm's Law
Students will explore the basics of dc circuits analyzing the light from light bulbs when connected in series and parallel circuits. Ohm's Law and the equation for power dissipated by a circuit will be the primary equations used. Using...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Electric Circuits: Circuit Connections: Parallel Circuits
When two or more electrical devices in a circuit are connected, it is known as a series connection or a parallel connection. When all the devices are connected using parallel connections, the circuit is referred to as a parallel circuit....
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Measuring Current in Series Parallel Circuits
Measure current through resistances in series-parallel circuits requires current-measuring skills used in both series and parallel circuits.
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.
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.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Parallel Circuits
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In this lesson, students learn about parallel circuit design, and how to calculate equivalent resistance from resistors in a parallel circuit.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Circuits
This colorful site will help you understand series and parallel circuits.
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.
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.
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 Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Ap Physics 2: Electric Circuits
This unit teaches students the foundations of electrical circuits and introduces them to their simplest components. Covers series and parallel circuits, Kirchhoff's Rules, Ohm's Law, RC circuits, resistivity, and capacitance.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Comparing Current Intensities of Series, Parallel, and Complex Circuits
Learners will investigate the differences of current in series, parallel, and complex circuits through the construction of a small house containing the different types of circuits.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Electric Circuits Guided Inquiry
An electrical circuit guided inquiry where students investigate what an electric circuit is, the main parts of a circuit and the difference between series and parallel circuits. Students groups create a circuit using materials provided...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Advanced Circuit Analysis
Practice analyzing circuits using Kirchhoff's laws and Ohm's law with series and parallel resistors.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Electricity: Building Circuits in Elementary Science Class
In this exploration activity, students compare the difference between series circuits and parallel circuits using wire, light bulbs, and D batteries.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How a Hybrid Works
In Lesson 4, students conclude the Research and Revise step of the Legacy Cycle, as they investigate different forms of hybrid engines as well as briefly conclude a look at the different forms of potential energy. Students apply basic...