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Back to the experimentTHE EVIDENCE BEHIND THE EXPERIENCE

A complete circuit: sources & model

Close a switch. Follow a complete path. Give current a second route and discover what changes.

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dc-circuits-1 · content 1 · setup format 1

What supports the explanation?

Current is charge per unit time; its conventional direction is defined for positive charge.

University Physics Volume 2 §9.1, Eqs. 9.1–9.3 and direction-of-current discussion. Supports the current definition and marker convention.

OpenStax · Electric current

Ideal resistors obey V = IR; series and parallel circuits have different current and voltage constraints.

University Physics Volume 2 §10.2, Eqs. 10.2–10.3 and junction/loop derivation. Supports solver and two-load schematics.

OpenStax · Series & parallel

Electrical power is the rate of energy transfer.

University Physics Volume 2 §9.6. P = VI and resistor-power relationships support numerical outputs, not the brightness rendering.

OpenStax · Electrical power

Resistance can depend on temperature.

University Physics Volume 2 §9.3, resistivity versus temperature; scopes the fixed-resistance filament analogy.

OpenStax · Resistance

What this model assumes

  1. Two ideal ohmic loads, an ideal voltage source, ideal wires and a master switch. No shorts, AC, capacitors, internal resistance or thermal feedback.
  2. The flashlight view appears only for the single-load circuit; series and parallel arrangements are separate circuit comparisons.
  3. Current markers are explanatory and slowed down. Their spacing and speed are not electron trajectories, charge density or signal propagation.
  4. Lamp glow is a qualitative indication of load power. Home observation uses an intact flashlight, not a wiring or battery-building procedure.
  5. Ohm’s law, with a scope: For these ideal fixed resistors, I = V/R. Series: Rₑ = R₁ + R₂. Parallel: 1/Rₑ = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂. An open switch gives I = 0. We omit switching transients and use the settled DC state.
  6. An accounting check: P = VI = I²R. In series, V₁ + V₂ = Vsource. At a parallel junction, I₁ + I₂ = Isource. Adding the load powers gives the source power. That is an energy balance, not a calibrated brightness scale.
  7. Why real lamps differ: A filament heats up and changes resistance, so doubling voltage need not double its current. The battery also has internal resistance. The virtual source stays at its selected voltage; the glow shows relative modeled power, not lumens or temperature.

What has been checked

Analytical reference cases, conservation or transition invariants, finite drawing commands, bounded setup parsing, discovery and route integrity are checked automatically. These checks do not establish anatomical fidelity, learner outcomes or browser/device compatibility. Independent subject review, learner trials, comprehensive accessibility review and browser video encoding checks remain pending.

Each source supports the associated claim. Sources do not certify this implementation or its visuals.

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