Applied Physics

Department Of Computer Science

 Chapter 5

Series Circuits
 RESISTORS IN SERIES
• When connected in series, resistors form a
"string" in which there is only one path for
current.
• There can be any number of resistors in a
series circuit.
 RESISTORS IN SERIES
The schematic in Figure
shows resistors connected in
series between point A and
point B.
 RESISTORS IN SERIES
When a voltage source is connected between
point A and B, the only way for current to get
from one point to the other is to go through
each of the resistors.
 RESISTORS IN SERIES
A series circuit provides only one path for current
between two points so that the current is the same
through each series resistor.
 RESISTORS IN SERIES
In an actual circuit diagram, a series circuit may not
always be as easy to visually identify.
 RESISTORS IN SERIES
In an actual circuit diagram, a series circuit may not
always be as easy to visually identify.
 Example 1
Suppose that there are five resistors positioned on a
protoboard as shown in Figure. Wire them together
in series
Protoboard
Example 1 Assembly diagram
Example 1 Schematic diagram
 Example 2
Describe how the resistors on the printed circuit (PC)
related board in Figure
electrically.
 Example 2
• Resistors R1 through R7 are in
series with each other. This series
combination is connected between
pins 1 and 2 on (the PC board.
• Resistor R8 through R13 are in
series with each other. This series
combination is connected between
pin 3 and 4 on the PC board.
 REVIEW
How are the resistors connected in a series circuit?
How can you identify a series circuit?
 Review
Connect group of resistors in Figure in series with
each other.
Example 3
CURRENT IN A SERIES CIRCUIT
The current is the same through all points in a
series circuit. The current through each resistor
in a series circuit is the same as the current
through all the other resistors that are in series
with it.
CURRENT IN A SERIES CIRCUIT
Figure shows three resistors
connected in series to a dc
voltage source. At any point in
this circuit, the current into
that point must equal the
current out of that point.
CURRENT IN A SERIES CIRCUIT
 TOTAL SERIES RESISTANCE

The total resistance of a series circuit is equal to

the sum of the resistances of each individual
series resistor.
 Series Resistor Values Add
When resistors are connected in the resistor values
add because each resistor offers opposition to the
current in direct proportion to its resistance. A
greater number of resistors connected in series
creates more opposition to current. More
opposition to current implies a higher value of
resistance. Thus every time a resistor is added in
series, the total resistance increases.
Series Resistor Values Add
Figure illustrates how series
resistance add to increase the total
resistance.
Series Resistor Values Add
Series Resistor Values Add
 Series Resistance Formula
For any number of individual resistors connected in
series, the total resistance is the sum of each of the
individual values.
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + ……… + Rn
Series Resistance Example 1
Series Resistance Example 1
Series Resistance Example 2
Series Resistance Example 2
Series Resistance Example 2
 Example 4
What is the total resistance (RT) in the circuit of
Figure
 Example 4
R1 = 39 Ω
R2 = 100 Ω
R3 = 47 Ω
R4 = 100 Ω
R5 = 180 Ω
R6 = 68 Ω
 Example 4
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5 + R6

RT = 39 + 100 + 47 + 100+180 + 68

RT = 534 Ω
 Example 5
Determine the value of R4
in the circuit of Figure
Example 5
Example 5
Equal-Value Series Resistors
When a circuit has more than one resistor of
the same value in series, there is a shortcut
method to obtain the total resistance: Simply
multiply the resistance value by the number
of equal-value resistors that are in series.
Equal-Value Series Resistors
Five 100 Ω resistors in series have an RT of
5 x (100 Ω) = 500 Ω.
In general the formula is:
where n is the number of equal-value resistors
and R is the resistance value.
Equal-Value Series Resistors
Find the RT of eight 22 Ω resistors in series.
Equal-Value Series Resistors
However, it is much easier to multiply to get the
same result.
 Review
• You have one resistor each of the following
values: 1.0kΩ, 2.7 k Ω, 5.6 k Ω, and 560 Ω. To get
a total resistance of approximately 13.8 k Ω, you
need one more resistor. What should its value
be?
• What is the RT for twelve 56 Ω resistors in series?
APPLICATION OF OHM'S LAW

The basic concepts of series circuits and Ohm's

law can be applied to series circuit analysis.
 key points

key points to remember when you analyze series

circuits:
1. Current through any of the series resistors is
the same as the total current.
 key points
2. If you know the total applied voltage and the
total resistance, you can determine the total
current by Ohm's law.
 key points
3. If you know the voltage drop across one of the
series resistors (Rx), you can determine the total
current by Ohm's law.
 key points
4. If you know the total current, you can find the
voltage drop across any of the series resistors by
Ohm's law.
 key points
5. The polarity of a voltage drop across a resistor
is positive at the end of the resistor that is
closest to the positive terminal of the voltage
source.
 key points
6. The current through a resistor is defined to be
in a direction from the positive end of the
resistor to the negative end.
 key points
7. An open in a series circuit prevents current;
and, therefore, there is zero voltage drop across
each series resistor. The total voltage appears
across the points between which there is an
open.
Now let's look at several example that use Ohm s
law for series circuit analysis.
 Example 1
Find the current in the circuit of Figure.
 Example 1
Find the current in the circuit of Figure.

Remember the same current exist at all points in the circuit. Thus,
each resistor has 194mA current through it.
 Example 2
The current in the
circuit of Figure is 1mA.
For this amount of
current, what must the
source voltage VS be?
Example 2
Example 2
 Review
How much voltage is
required to produce 50
mA through the circuit
of Figure .