The Christmas Light The Christmas Light ConundrumConundrum

The Christmas Light The Christmas Light ConundrumConundrum

A multimedia Xperience A multimedia Xperience Jonathan Van Gils Jonathan Van Gils

A multimedia Xperience A multimedia Xperience Jonathan Van Gils Jonathan Van Gils

Proceed

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Maybe think about this situation: You are getting ready for Christmas, Channukah, and / or the Winter Solstice and putting up festive lights.

Maybe think about this situation: You are getting ready for Christmas, Channukah, and / or the Winter Solstice and putting up festive lights.

PROCEED

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Suddenly, you step on one of them and it breaks!!!!!!! Not only does that light break, all the lights after that one stop working as well!

Suddenly, you step on one of them and it breaks!!!!!!! Not only does that light break, all the lights after that one stop working as well!

Why is this happening?

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

This power point presentation is made to further explain the science behind this modern day conundrum.

This power point presentation is made to further explain the science behind this modern day conundrum.In this presentation I will discuss Ohm's laws, series and parallel circuits as well as well as answer basic questions such as "what is a circuit". It's suprising but most people don't know!

VOCAB VOCAB

Resistor - a device designed to introduce resistance into an electric circuit.

Resistor - a device designed to introduce resistance into an electric circuit.

Battery- a combination of two or more cells electrically connected to work together to produce electric energy.

VocabVocab

Electron- a unit of charge equal to the charge on one electron.

Electron- a unit of charge equal to the charge on one electron.

VOCAB VOCAB

Ohm’s Law-Ohm's law is a statement that specifies the relationship between electricity to resistance and voltage. This law is used to measure electric currents. Ohm's law states that the current of electricity is equal to the voltage divided by the resistance. This means that current and voltage are proportional. However the current is indirectly proportional to resistance. This relationship is similar to force to mass. F=ma. This was created by George Ohm in 1826

Ohm’s Law-Ohm's law is a statement that specifies the relationship between electricity to resistance and voltage. This law is used to measure electric currents. Ohm's law states that the current of electricity is equal to the voltage divided by the resistance. This means that current and voltage are proportional. However the current is indirectly proportional to resistance. This relationship is similar to force to mass. F=ma. This was created by George Ohm in 1826

VOCAB VOCAB

Circuit- the complete path of an electric current, including the generating apparatus, intervening resistors, or capacitors.

Circuit- the complete path of an electric current, including the generating apparatus, intervening resistors, or capacitors.

http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/sj/cj/5cj8mng.JPG

George Ohm

CIRCUITS CIRCUITS We use the word circuit all the time, but what really is a We use the word circuit all the time, but what really is a

circuit?? A circuit is any path along which electrons can circuit?? A circuit is any path along which electrons can flow. A circuit is usually controlled by a switch, so when flow. A circuit is usually controlled by a switch, so when the switch is closed (i.e a light switch turned on) the the switch is closed (i.e a light switch turned on) the circuit will run. A circuit is the science behind any circuit will run. A circuit is the science behind any electronics we use. A circuit is most commonly electronics we use. A circuit is most commonly connected two ways, in a series is one way. The other connected two ways, in a series is one way. The other way to wire a circuit is in a parallel circuit.way to wire a circuit is in a parallel circuit.

We use the word circuit all the time, but what really is a We use the word circuit all the time, but what really is a circuit?? A circuit is any path along which electrons can circuit?? A circuit is any path along which electrons can flow. A circuit is usually controlled by a switch, so when flow. A circuit is usually controlled by a switch, so when the switch is closed (i.e a light switch turned on) the the switch is closed (i.e a light switch turned on) the circuit will run. A circuit is the science behind any circuit will run. A circuit is the science behind any electronics we use. A circuit is most commonly electronics we use. A circuit is most commonly connected two ways, in a series is one way. The other connected two ways, in a series is one way. The other way to wire a circuit is in a parallel circuit.way to wire a circuit is in a parallel circuit.

SERIES CIRCUITSERIES CIRCUIT

What is a series circuit? A series circuit is a way of connecting circuits so that there is only one path for an electron to take. Christmas lights are assembled in a series circuit and this is why the conundrum happens.

What is a series circuit? A series circuit is a way of connecting circuits so that there is only one path for an electron to take. Christmas lights are assembled in a series circuit and this is why the conundrum happens.

SERIES CIRCUITSERIES CIRCUIT Let me explain. In a series circuit, there is

only one path for the electron to take, a.k.a one wire, as on christmas lights.

Let me explain. In a series circuit, there is only one path for the electron to take, a.k.a one wire, as on christmas lights.

http://www.pha.jhu.edu/dept/lecdemo/img/EM-f2a_400x300.jpg

SERIES CIRCUITSERIES CIRCUIT A prime example of a series circuit. A prime example of a series circuit.

http://iss.cet.edu/electricity/pages/images/G/g1_3.jpg

PARALLEL CIRCUITSPARALLEL CIRCUITS A slightly more complicated but more practical

way to wire circuits is in parallel circuit. In a parallel circuit, electrical devices are connected to TWO points on an electrical circuit. This allows an alternative path for the electron to take if the resistance forces the electron to not continue on that particular path.

A slightly more complicated but more practical way to wire circuits is in parallel circuit. In a parallel circuit, electrical devices are connected to TWO points on an electrical circuit. This allows an alternative path for the electron to take if the resistance forces the electron to not continue on that particular path.

PARALLEL CIRCUITSPARALLEL CIRCUITS

http://www.pha.jhu.edu/dept/lecdemo/img/EM-f2a_400x300.jpg

http://www.pha.jhu.edu/dept/lecdemo/img/EM-f2a_400x300.jpg

An example of a parallel circuit

PARALLEL CIRCUITSPARALLEL CIRCUITS

http://webhw.unca.edu/roberts_phys222/Content/labs/multimeter/images/parallel_circuit.gif

A parallel circuit are wired so thatAn electron has more than one route If Christmas lights were wired Parallel then the conundrum wouldBe solved!

SurveySurvey

I asked 20 adults if they knew what caused the lights to go out when one breaks. This was their response.

I asked 20 adults if they knew what caused the lights to go out when one breaks. This was their response.

Why do the lights succeeding a light that breaks on a strand of lights go out ?

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Incorrect Partially Correct Correct

Adult Responses

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Relative LinksRelative Links The Physics

Classroom Wikipedia Websters Nasa

The Physics Classroom

Wikipedia Websters Nasa

The Physics Classroom is a great site for helping diagrams as wellAs simple definitions to give you the tools you need for understanding.

I used wikipedia to look up formulas and specific models that helped Shape my understanding of circuits

I used websters for all my definitions.

I used the “Nasa files” to try to findHelpful explanations and images.

A series circuit.http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/text/kids/Problem_Board/problems/electricity/circuits2.html

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

In conclusion, the reason all the lights following a broken light on a Christmas tree go out is because they are wired in a series circuit, and the electron can not pass through.

In conclusion, the reason all the lights following a broken light on a Christmas tree go out is because they are wired in a series circuit, and the electron can not pass through.