A circuit with no branches, where the current can only flow in one path around the circuit
Electric current
The flow of electrical charge around a circuit
Electric current
It is never used up in a circuit
In a series circuit, the current is the same all the way around
Circuit components
Cell
Lamp
Open switch
Closed switch
Ammeter
A device used to measure the electric current in a circuit
The unit of electric current is the ampere (A)
The term "amp" is an acceptable short form of "ampere"
When the switch is closed
Electrons flow out of the cell and move around the circuit
Electrons flow from the negative end of the cell to the positive end
They carry energy and transfer it to the components in the circuit, such as the lamp
Scientists used to think the current flowed from the positive end of the cell to the negative end, but we now know this is incorrect
The direction of the current is still represented with an arrow pointing from the positive end to the negative end, which is called the "conventional current"
