​Series Circuits

• ​In a series circuit, there is only one path for electricity to travel.

• ​If one part of the circuit stops working (the load, the wires, or the power source) the entire circuit stops working.

​Parallel Circuit

• ​In a parallel circuit, there is more than one pathway for electricity to flow.

• ​If one part of the parallel circuit stops working, the electricity will still flow.

What is Direct Current?

• Direct current (DC) is an electric current that is uni-directional, so the flow of charge is always in the same direction. 

• As opposed to alternating current, the direction and amperage of direct currents do not change. It is used in many household electronics and in all devices that use batteries

Direct Current and Alternating Current

• Direct Current (dc): electrons flow only in one direction, from negative terminal to positive terminal

  • Speed is slow because electrons are constantly bumping each other

• Alternating Current (ac): electrons flow in one direction, and then in the opposite direction​

  • Better for high powered devices

  • Most ac circuits involve currents that alternate back and forth at a rate of 60 cycles per second

What are the uses of direct current?

• It is also used to:

• charge batteries, like laptops and cell phones

• They come with an AC adapter that converts alternating current to direct current