Flow of electricity: Open versus Closed Circuit

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SUMMARY

This discussion clarifies the fundamental differences between open and closed circuits in electrical systems. In a closed circuit, there is a continuous flow of electricity, resulting in lower resistance between points P and Q. Conversely, an open circuit exhibits higher resistance due to the interruption in flow. The brightness of bulbs in a circuit is affected by their configuration; bulb B remains brighter than bulb C when the switch is closed, as bulb C shares the current with bulb A in a parallel arrangement.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of electrical circuits
  • Knowledge of resistance and current flow
  • Familiarity with series and parallel circuit configurations
  • Ability to interpret circuit diagrams
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Ohm's Law and its application in circuit analysis
  • Learn about series and parallel circuits in detail
  • Explore the concept of electrical resistance and its impact on circuit performance
  • Investigate the effects of circuit components on overall brightness and current distribution
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and hobbyists interested in electrical engineering, circuit design, and physics will benefit from this discussion.

MitsuShai
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I need help understanding this conceptually, so can anybody please correct me and help me understand this?
If I'm correct then just say so.Diagram: http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k327/ProtoGirlEXE/labVpic3.jpg
the circles are bulbsOk so the basically in an open circuit there is no flow and in a closed circuit there is flow.

Question 1 : When the switch is closed what happens to the Resistance between P & Q?
Well the resistance is smaller because there is more flow in closed circuit. The bigger the flow the smaller the resistance.

Question 2: What's bigger the resistance to battery in a closed or open switch?
In a open switch, because there is less flow in the circuit. The smaller the flow, the bigger the resistance.

Question 3: How does closing the switch effect the flow of electricity from battery?
Well, this one I can't come up with an answer because the flow out of the battery should be the same regardless of the switch right? And if you look in the diagram only part of the circuit is cut off from an open switch, so in an open switch the flow would be from B to P to A to Q then back to the battery. And in a closed switch bulb C is added, so the paths are different. However, in both paths the same amount of flow is going through the circuit right?

Question 4: What is the brightness of bulb B when switch is closed to open?
Well the switch does not effect bulb B, only bulb C, so there would be no difference.

Question 5: In a closed circuit, what is the brightness of bulb B compared to bulb C?
Bulb B would be brighter because C and A are parallel, so the flow from the battery is split in half equally between the two components, however bulb B has the full flow from the battery. Therefore B would be brighter than C.

Also can someone help me with this too: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=482028
 
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nevermind, I understand now. :)
 

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