The Water Circuit Analogy

The water circuit analogy can visualize the processes inside of an electric ciruit. Water flow behaviour is sometimes quite similar to the behaviour of the electric current.

One step at a time. So, in this fist step you should compare these two experimental setups:

Instead of a battery, we have a pump in the water circuit. The pump will later make the water start moving. For the transportation of the water we have water hoses; they represent the electric conductors (the wires or cables). And finally the water wheel works like the light bulb.

Here is the summary of all the analogies:

electric circuit	water circuit
electric conductor (wires or cables)	water conduit (water hoses)
voltage source	pump
voltage	water pressure
amperage	strength of the water flow
consumer e.g. light bulb	water wheel