Series Circuit Analogies R
Analogies are often used to clarify new concepts by relating the new concept to well-known concepts. One such analogy for electric circuits is the water-flow analogy.
For your original post, research potential analogies for the series circuit, and select an example to share with the class (or create one of your own!). In your description, identify what characteristics are analogous (or comparable) to the series circuit. Specifically, you should be able to note elements that represent voltage, current, and resistance as they apply to a series circuit.
Sample Solution
An analogy that can be used to explain the concept of a series circuit is the chain of buckets analogy. This example relates various components in electrical circuits with elements in a chain of buckets filled with water to help visualise how current flows through them (Gardner et al., 2020). In this analogy, each bucket represents one component such as a battery or resistor and are connected together like links on a chain. The total resistance in the circuit could be seen as similar to the holes at the bottom of each bucket which control how fast the water can flow from one bucket into another and ultimately affects how much current reaches its end point (Gardner et al., 2020).
In order for water to flow from one bucket to another it needs an external force which would represent voltage – something that pushes it along just like electricity does when running through wires. As for current, this would simply be represented by amount of water flowing between buckets since if there is more pressure, then more will reach its destination due to having less resistance (Gardner et al., 2020). To illustrate this further let’s say we have three buckets joined together in series and must fill up all three before any overflows out – just like an electric circuit where all resistors need power before it can move on. In our example, increasing pressure would cause more water to enter each bucket faster while also having less time spend inside thus leading to higher overall current but lower voltage throughout.
Overall, this analogy provides great insight into understanding what happens within a series circuit by connecting it with familiar objects such as buckets so students can better comprehend concepts related its structure and behavior.
