Monday 5 October · Complete circuit paths
Why won’t the lamp light?
prediction
Why is the lamp off?
Choose your first prediction before changing the circuit.
0 complete paths. Lamp A is off. Source current 0 amperes.
- Path
- 0 complete paths
- Source current
- 0 A
- Equivalent resistance
- Not shown — open circuit
- Lamp A
- OFF · 0 A · 0 W
- Lamp B
- · ·
Hint 1: Start at one battery terminal and follow the wire.
Hint 2: Can the conducting path reach the lamp and return to the other terminal?
Hint 3: The visible gap breaks the circuit’s only current path.
explanation
A complete circuit
Read this short explanation, then continue when the idea is clear.
A working circuit needs one complete conducting path from one source terminal, through the lamp, and back to the other terminal.
The source supplies energy. Current flows around the complete circuit; it is not used up by the lamp.
- Source
- The part that supplies electrical energy in this virtual circuit.
- Load
- The lamp, where electrical energy is transferred.
- Open circuit
- A circuit with a break in its conducting path, so steady current cannot flow.
circuit
Complete the circuit
Connect the gap, then check the circuit.
Use these buttons with touch, a mouse or the keyboard. No dragging is needed.
0 complete paths. Lamp A is off. Source current 0 amperes.
- Path
- 0 complete paths
- Source current
- 0 A
- Equivalent resistance
- Not shown — open circuit
- Lamp A
- OFF · 0 A · 0 W
- Lamp B
- · ·
Hint 1: Follow the path from the positive source terminal.
Hint 2: The conducting path stops at the two open connection points.
Hint 3: Choose “Connect the gap”, then check the circuit.
prediction
What if the path opens again?
The lamp is working now. Predict what a disconnection would change before testing another circuit.
1 complete path. Lamp A is on. Source current 1 amperes.
- Path
- 1 complete path
- Source current
- 1 A
- Equivalent resistance
- 12 Ω
- Lamp A
- ON · 1 A · 12 W
- Lamp B
- · ·
Hint 1: This circuit has only one current path.
Hint 2: Trace what happens when that current path has a break.
Hint 3: A disconnected wire opens the loop, so steady current stops.
circuit
Test your prediction
Open the working circuit, then check what changed.
Use these buttons with touch, a mouse or the keyboard. No dragging is needed.
1 complete path. Lamp A is on. Source current 1 amperes.
- Path
- 1 complete path
- Source current
- 1 A
- Equivalent resistance
- 12 Ω
- Lamp A
- ON · 1 A · 12 W
- Lamp B
- · ·
Hint 1: Choose the path state that creates a break.
Hint 2: Use “Leave the gap open”, then check the circuit.
movement break
Two-minute movement break
Pause the screen task for a moment.
Stand up, stretch or get a drink. Return when you are ready; there is no countdown.
circuit
Try a changed circuit
This circuit is arranged differently. Complete it without opening a hint if you can.
Use these buttons with touch, a mouse or the keyboard. No dragging is needed.
0 complete paths. Lamp A is off. Source current 0 amperes.
- Path
- 0 complete paths
- Source current
- 0 A
- Equivalent resistance
- Not shown — open circuit
- Lamp A
- OFF · 0 A · 0 W
- Lamp B
- · ·
Hint 1: Ignore where each part sits. Trace the conducting path from terminal to terminal.
Hint 2: Look for the place where the conducting line stops.
Hint 3: Connect the visible gap to make one complete loop.
check
Explain what changed
Choose the best explanation.
check
Complete means all the way back
Choose where the current path must continue.
check
A dark real lamp is not proof of safety
Keep the virtual circuit idea separate from real electrical safety.
Session saved
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