Electronics · lesson 5 of 30 · free

Switches in a circuit — Electronics for kids

A switch opens (OFF) or closes (ON) the path for the current. Switches in series sit one after another in the same loop, so every one of them must be ON. Switches in parallel sit on side-by-side paths, so one ON switch is enough. Switches come in many kinds: a toggle switch stays where you flip it, a push button works only while pressed, a reed switch closes near a magnet and a tilt switch closes when tipped over.

▶ Watch how it works

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Remember

All for series, any for parallel — “switches in a row all need to be ON; side-by-side switches need just one”

  1. Series switches (one path): the bulb glows only if ALL are ON.
  2. Parallel switches (side-by-side paths): the bulb glows if ANY one is ON.
  3. Mixed: work out each path, then ask if there is at least one complete path.

Use it for: Lessons on switches, two-way and safety switches in machines, and puzzles about which switches light a lamp.

Worked example: 🔘 A cell, a bulb and switches A and B are joined one after another in a single loop (series). A is ON and B is OFF. Does the bulb glow? → No

  1. In series there is one path, so both switches must be ON.
  2. B is OFF, so the path is broken and the bulb does not glow.

Check: Turn B ON as well — A and B both ON, so it glows ✓

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✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

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🏁 Lesson 5 test

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🖨️ Electronics Worksheet: Switches in a Circuit

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