Questions and Problems

1. What are the identifying characteristics of a series circuit?

The identifying characteristics of series circuits are that there is only one path for the current to
travel, resulting to equal magnitude of current flowing on any resistors or points in the path, the
summation of voltage drop of all resistors is equal to the voltage of the emf, and last, the total
resistance of the circuit is the summation of resistance of all resistors.

2. What are the identifying characteristics of a parallel circuit?

The identifying characteristics of parallel circuits are that there are multiple paths that the current
may flow, the summation of currents of each path is the total current flowing in the circuit,
parallel resistors have also the same voltage drop, and last, the reciprocal of the equivalent
resistance is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of the separate resistances in parallel.

3. What changes occur in the total resistance of a circuit as additional resistances are added (a) in
series? (b) in parallel?

In (a), when additional resistance is added in series in a circuit, the total resistance of the circuit
will increase, because the total resistance of a series circuit is just the sum of all resistances of all
resistors.
In (b), when additional resistance is added in parallel in a circuit, the total resistance of the circuit
will decrease, because the total resistance of a parallel circuit is the inverse of the sum of the
reciprocal of the resistances of all resistors.

4. What are the different types of resistances and their purpose?

Fixed-value resistors are resistors that have constant resistance. Wire-wound resistors are made
with coils of resistance wire. Sometimes called power resistors, they are very accurate and heat
stable. The resistance value is marked. Carbon resistors are common in electronic systems.
Carbon is mixed with binder; the more carbon, the lower the resistance.
Stepped or tapped resistors have two or more fixed resistance values. The different resistances are
connected to different terminals in a switch is moved, different resistance values are placed in the
circuit.
Variable resistors, as it is called, have a variable resistance. Three types of variable resistors are
used: rheostats, potentiometers, and thermistors. Both types of thermistors change resistance with
increasing temperature.

5. Why are lamps in a house lighting circuit not connected in series?

The house lightings are not connected in series, because when one lamp got broken, all other
lamps will not operate. This is due to the characteristic of the series circuit that there is only one
 path for the current to flow. When one lamp is broken, the path on that lamp will also get broken,
therefore resulting to an open circuit, no current will flow to light the lamps.

6. A small lamp is designed to draw 300mA in a 6V circuit. What is the resistance of the lamp
filament?

I = 300 mA
R =V/I = (6 V)/(0.3 A) = 20 Ω
V=6V

R = 20 Ω

7. A battery with an internal resistance of 1.5 Ω is connected in series with resistors R1 = 3 Ω and
R2 = 3.5 Ω if the potential difference across the 3 Ω resistor is 9V. What is the emf of the
battery?

IT=I1=I2

VT/RT=V1/R1=V2/R2

VT=V1RT/R1=(9 V)(3 + 3.5 +1.5 ohms)/(3 ohms) = 24 V

VT = 24 V

8. Determine the ideal voltage source needed by three resistors connected in series R1 = 6 Ω, R2 = 8
Ω, and R3 = 10ohms if a required current of 0.5A flows in the circuit.

VT = ITRT

VT = (0.5 A)(6 + 8 + 10 ohms) V1 = 12

9. Determine the total resistance of the circuit of the circuit below.

−1
1 1 3 −1
𝑅=( + ) =( ) =4Ω
8 + 4 4.5 + 1.5 12

1 1 −1 3 −1
𝑅=( + ) =( ) =6Ω
18 5 + 4 18

1 1 −1
5 −1
𝑅=( + ) = ( ) = 12
25 + 5 14 + 6 60

𝑅𝑇 = (1 + 12 + 2)Ω = 15 Ω Ω

10. Based from the circuit on problem 9, determine the current through the 18 Ω resistance of the
circuit and the potential difference across the 10 Ω resistance if a 30Vdc source is connected
across the terminals.
IT = VT/RT = (30 V)/(15 Ω) = 2 A

V12 = ITR12 = (2 A)(12 Ω)=24 V

I6 = V12/R(14+6) = (24 V)/(20 Ω) = 1.2 A

I18 = V18/R18 = (7.2 V)/(18 Ω) = 0.4 A I18 = 0.4 A

I8=V4/R(4+8)=3.2/12 = 4/15 A

V8=V10=I8R8=(4/15 A)(8 Ω) = 2.133 V V8 = 2.133