Illustrating Electric Circuit Concepts with the Glitter Circuit

Abstract

Many beginning physics students have a harder time understanding basic concepts of electric circuits than understanding basic mechanics concepts. This is likely due to the fact that we cannot see electric charge carriers (electrons) move through an electric wire. It is thus the responsibility of the physics instructor to introduce his/her students to a variety of electric circuit models that will enable those students encountering circuits for the first time to come up with their own coherent mental picture of current flow in an electric circuit. Electric circuit analogs might prove helpful in this endeavor.