Assignment - Infographics - 158
A Note on What Makes This an Infographic
A circuit diagram with component symbols and no explanation is a technical drawing, not an infographic. An infographic about electric circuits explains what each component does, what electric current actually is, and why the difference between series and parallel circuits matters in real life (why do other bulbs stay on when one bulb in your home goes out?). Connect the physics to something the reader has seen.
Objective
Create an annotated diagram infographic in Canva that explains how a simple electric circuit works, labels each component with its function, and compares series and parallel circuits with everyday examples.
Content to Cover
What is Electric Current?
Electric current is the flow of electric charge through a conductor (such as a wire). In most circuits, this means electrons moving through a metal wire. Current flows from the negative terminal of a battery, through the circuit, and back to the positive terminal.
Components of a Simple Circuit
A basic circuit needs four things:
- Cell or Battery: The energy source. A cell pushes electrons around the circuit by creating a voltage difference between its two terminals. A battery is a collection of cells connected together.
- Wire: The conductor. Metal wire allows electrons to flow with very little resistance.
- Bulb (or other load): The component that uses the electrical energy. In a bulb, electrons pass through a thin filament, which resists their flow and heats up until it glows.
- Switch: Opens or closes the circuit. When the switch is open, the circuit is broken and current cannot flow. When it is closed, current flows and the bulb lights up.
Add the standard circuit symbols for each component alongside the descriptions.
Series vs. Parallel Circuits
Add a side-by-side comparison panel:
Series circuit:
- All components are connected in one single loop.
- The same current flows through every component.
- If one bulb breaks, the circuit is broken and all bulbs go out.
- Example: old-style fairy lights where one blown bulb turns off the whole string.
Parallel circuit:
- Each component is on its own separate branch.
- Each branch gets the full voltage from the battery.
- If one bulb breaks, only that branch is affected - the other bulbs stay on.
- Example: the lights in a house. Switching off the kitchen light does not turn off the bedroom light.
Real-Life Connection
Most household wiring is parallel. This is why you can switch off one room’s light without affecting the rest of the house.
Design in Canva
- A clear illustration of a simple series circuit (battery, wire, switch, bulb) with each component labeled and its function explained in a callout.
- Standard circuit symbols alongside the illustrated components.
- A side-by-side comparison: series circuit (one loop, bulbs in a chain) vs. parallel circuit (separate branches, bulbs side by side).
- A real-life examples panel connecting series/parallel to everyday devices.
Required Elements
- All four basic circuit components labeled with their function.
- Standard circuit symbols shown for each component.
- Series vs. parallel comparison with what happens when one bulb fails in each.
- A real-life example for both circuit types.
- Title: “How an Electric Circuit Works.”