Series versus Parallel

The materials in an electrical circuit can be connected in series, in parallel, or in a combination of the other previously mentioned connections. When the objects in a circuit are in series, the charge flows in only one path. As a result, current is the same throughout the circuit. Meanwhile, a parallel circuit allows the current to go through multiple paths. This photograph depicts the batteries in my calculator. They are arranged in series. A series circuit has more potential energy than one in parallel but it has to be shared amongst the objects in the circuit. If one object stops working, the entire circuit stops. While each object in a parallel circuit can use its optimal amount of power, the battery's power will decrease more because its charge goes to more than one path.

The Electricity Savings Challenge: The Beginning

During physics class, a challenge was enacted. Until the arrival of my home's next electric bill, I will conserve my use of energy. The other condition of the challenge is that I get to keep the money that my household saves from consuming less power. Since people in Hawaii have to spend more money for energy than those in the continental United States, one of the intentions of the challenge is to maintain a reduced level of consumption in the long term, which would be beneficial financially and environmentally. This particular photograph depicts one of the ceiling fans in my living room. Any appliance that exerts heat or coldness involves a large gain of kinetic energy. Since it functions as something that adds light and reduces heat in the room, the fan is one of the main sources of energy use in my house. This item is also used extensively during the night, which is when the rates for electricity are higher. 

Home is Where the Power is

One of the main aspects of this world is that most materials require electricity. Similar to water, electrons have a current, which is the amount of coulombs that flow over a period of time. Since electric objects use energy, they also utilize power, which in this case is a product of voltage and current. This photograph contains my DVD player. Like other American appliances, its voltage is 120 volts. Its power is 288 watts. Based on the information about the other objects, the DVD player has the third highest current and power. Since most of the objects had the same voltage, those with more current had more power since they had more charge flow.