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Series and Parallel Circuits

This document discusses series and parallel circuits. It defines key concepts like potential, voltage, current, and resistance. Potential is defined as the work done to move a charge divided by the charge. Voltage is a measure of potential difference. Current is the flow of electrons from lower to higher potential. Resistance opposes the flow of electrons. Ohm's law states current is directly proportional to voltage. Series circuits have the same current passing through all elements. Parallel circuits have the same voltage passing across all elements. Worked examples on circuits are also provided.

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Amirfaheem
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5 views

Series and Parallel Circuits

This document discusses series and parallel circuits. It defines key concepts like potential, voltage, current, and resistance. Potential is defined as the work done to move a charge divided by the charge. Voltage is a measure of potential difference. Current is the flow of electrons from lower to higher potential. Resistance opposes the flow of electrons. Ohm's law states current is directly proportional to voltage. Series circuits have the same current passing through all elements. Parallel circuits have the same voltage passing across all elements. Worked examples on circuits are also provided.

Uploaded by

Amirfaheem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1

Series and Parallel Circuits

Potential or voltage:
If work has to be done to move charge from one
point to another, the points are at different
potentials.
Potential = work done / charge moved
V = W/Q
Potential is measured in joules per
Coulomb
The potential in volts is the work done per coulomb
in bringing positive charge from earth to the point.
Positive potential
If a conductor A is at higher potential than earth, its
potential is taken as positive.
Negative Potential
If a conductor B is at lower potential than earth, its
potential is taken as negative. If two conductors are
at different potential, there is potential difference or
p.d. or voltage between them.
Electrons always flow from lower to higher potential,
i.e. towards the more positive potential. When
electron moves in this way there is current flowing.
Electric Current:
An electric current is a flow of microscopic particles
called electrons flowing through wires and
components, from the Negative terminal to the
Positive terminal of a cell.
The total charge passing any point in a circuit
depends on the current and the time for which it
flows, these quantities being liked by the equation
Charge = Current x Time

Q= I x t

Resistance

Prepared By: Amir Faheem SS(Physic) TICSS Fsd.


2

It is the measure of the opposition of flow to the drifting


electrons due to their collision against the atoms of the
conductor. The SI of unit of resistance is ohm.

Ohm’s Law

The current flowing through a metal conductor is


directly proportional is directly to p.d. across its ends
provided the temperature and the other physical
conditions remain constant.

Electric Circuits:
Any path that electrons can flow is a circuit. Circuit must
be complete path with no gaps or breaks. Most circuits
carried electrical energy to more than one device.
Like the flow of water in a closed system of pipes, there
must be a complete path, or circuit, from one terminal to
another (the positive to the negative terminal)

Types of circuit:
There are two types of electrical circuits;
I. Series Circuits:
II. Parallel Circuits:

I. Series Circuits:
If a number of resistors are connected end to end
such that the same current passes through all of
them, they are said to be connected in series
Properties

Parallel Circuits:
If a number of resistors are connected side by side
with their ends joined together at common points
such that the same voltage passes through all of
them, they are said to be connected in parallel.

Prepared By: Amir Faheem SS(Physic) TICSS Fsd.


3

Work sheet Circuits

1: What quantities are measured using the following units?


(a) coulomb (b) volts (c) Ampere

2: what is the p.d between the two conductors in figure. If the


conductors are connected by a length of wire, which way will electrons
flow? When will this flow of election cease?

- +2000
1000V V

3. The table shows how the current through a conducting material


varies with p.d. Applied across its ends. Plot a graph of current against
p.d.calculate the resistance of the material. p.d. Current
V A

1.0 0.16
2.0 0.32
3.0 0.48
4.0 0.64
5.0 0.76
4. What will be the reading s on X, Y and Z.? 6.0 0.82

Prepared By: Amir Faheem SS(Physic) TICSS Fsd.

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