For a class project, Jerome builds a simple circuit with a battery and three light bulbs. On his way to school, Jerome drops his project and breaks one of the light bulbs. He has no time to fix or replace the bulb, so he removes the broken bulb and turns in his project. What will happen when Jerome runs current through his circuit?
a
If Jerome built a series circuit, only the remaining bulb closest to the battery will light up.
b
If Jerome built a parallel circuit, both remaining bulbs will still light up.
c
If Jerome built a series circuit, both remaining bulbs will still light up.
d
If Jerome built a parallel circuit, only the remaining bulb closest to the battery will light up.
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the properties of series and parallel circuits.
In a series circuit, the components are connected in a single pathway, meaning the current passes through each component in order. If one component breaks or is removed, the circuit is broken, and current cannot flow through any of the components. Therefore, in a series circuit, if Jerome removes a bulb, none of the remaining bulbs will light up. So option a is not correct.
In a parallel circuit, each component is connected across the same two points on the circuit, creating multiple pathways for the current to flow. If one component breaks or is removed, the circuit remains intact, and current can still flow through the other components. Therefore, in a parallel circuit, if Jerome removes a bulb, the other remaining bulbs will still light up. So option b is correct.
Thus, the correct answer is b.