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Wiring and Circuits (2019)
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1. Introduction: Emergency Power Switch -
2. Simplest Circuit
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Upload Artifact: Photo of your simplest circuit -
Check Your Understanding: Simplest Circuit -
Conductors and Insulators
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Upload Artifact: Photo of circuit with conductor
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Mini-Challenge: An Unwanted Shortcut
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Check Your Understanding: Conductors & Insulators
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3. Wires
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Mini-Challenge: Wires
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Upload Artifact: Photo of foamcore circuit
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Check Your Understanding: Wires
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4. Connectors
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Mini-Project: Test your wire
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Mini-Project: Electrical Tape
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Upload Artifact: Photo of circuit
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Check Your Understanding: Connectors
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5. Simple Switches
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Unit Project: Lightbox
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Upload Photo: Lightbox
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Conductors and Insulators
Mini Challenge Unwanted Connection
For this challenge, take your working circuit, and place a paper clip across the legs of the LED
LED Light
When you're done:
- Log entry 1.2.3: What happened when you added the paper clip?
- Log entry 1.2.4: Where else can you put the paper clip to achieve the same effect? What kinds of other objects do the same thing?
- Consider: There is still a complete circuit from the battery to the LED and back. Why does adding an additional component matter here?
Explanation
Placing a paper clip across the legs of the LED causes the light to go out, because it creates an alternative path for electricity to travel along that is "easier" than the path that runs through the LED. Electricity takes this "path of least resistance" and no longer goes through the LED. An electrical path like this that creates a shortcut for electricity so it doesn't travel where it's wanted, is called a "short circuit" or just a "short".