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Open circuit: find the gapTinkerPieCircuit tutorial 2 of 24 · Beginner · 10 minutes

See what an open circuit is: the bulb is off because the switch leaves a gap in the loop.

Open this circuit in TinkerPieCircuit (free, runs in your browser)

What you will learn

Parts

1 battery (3 V)1 slide switch (off)1 bulb

Steps

  1. Open the example

    Press the button below to open Open circuit. The bulb is dark.

  2. Look for the gap

    The switch knob is grey and on the left. That means the switch is open: there is a gap inside it.

  3. Close the gap

    Click the knob. It turns green and the bulb lights. You closed the circuit.

  4. Make your own gap

    Click a wire and press Delete. The bulb goes out because the loop is broken again. Press Undo to fix it.

This circuit needs no code. It runs by itself when you open it.

How it works

Current flows only when there is an unbroken path. Any gap, whether an open switch, a loose wire or a missing part, makes an open circuit and the current is zero.

Challenge: Add a second switch in a row with the first one. How many switches must be closed before the bulb lights?

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