The links below take you to a Java-based computer simulation called, Comparing Causal Models for Electricity. The software simulation shows both the Cyclic Sequential and Cyclic Simultaneous Models. It also offers some options that you may wish to use depending upon what ideas the students bring to the unit. Notice that you can turn the protons on or off to show both protons and electrons moving (though only the electrons actually move in the circuit). You can also show electrons and protons with negative and positive symbols or fill them in with black or red. These options are given to provide flexibility in how teachers address students' ideas. Notice that when you choose Cyclic Sequential, the model fills in as it starts to run but when you choose Cyclic Simultaneous, the circuit is shown to hold electrons at the start. You will need to reset the model each time you show a different model.

To download these files, right-click on the link and choose "Save Target As". The ZIP file may take some time to download.

To use this program, your computer must have Windows or Macintosh OSX.

• Mac users should use the JAR file. Run the program by clicking on the file after you have downloaded it.
  • cyclic_models_program.jar (57 KB)
• Windows users should download the ZIP file.* Once downloaded, open the ZIP file and extract the entire contents of the file into a new folder. Run the program by clicking the RUN.bat file (one of the files extracted into the new folder). It may take up to 60 seconds to run the first time you run the program on your computer, but should be quicker after that.
  • cyclic_models_program.zip (5,967 KB)