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Series and Parallel Circuits

The document discusses series and parallel circuits. It explains that in a series circuit, current is the same everywhere and adding components increases resistance and decreases current. It also explains that in a parallel circuit, current can take different paths and switches allow individual control of components.

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anna.abraham917
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46 views

Series and Parallel Circuits

The document discusses series and parallel circuits. It explains that in a series circuit, current is the same everywhere and adding components increases resistance and decreases current. It also explains that in a parallel circuit, current can take different paths and switches allow individual control of components.

Uploaded by

anna.abraham917
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Series and parallel circuit

Class 7
Series and Parallel circuit
LO: How to measure current in a series and parallel circuit?

Key points
•Electrical circuits can be connected in series or parallel .
•The is the same in all parts of a series circuit.
• increases when components, for example a lamp, are added
to a circuit in series.
• is shared between components in a series circuit.
• Series A way of connecting components in a circuit. A series
circuit has all the components in one loop connected by wires,
so there is only one route for current to flow.
• Parallel A way of connecting components in a circuit. A parallel
circuit has components on separate branches, so the current
can take different routes around the circuit.
• Resistance (R)How difficult it is for current to flow.
• potential difference (V)The amount of energy transferred by
each unit of charge passing between two points of a circuit. The
unit for potential difference is the volt (V).
• Can you answer these questions based on the video?
1. What happens when you add a second bulb to a series circuit?
2. If a bulb breaks in a series circuit, what happens to any other
bulb in the circuit?
Connecting components in series
When we connect in series they are all in the same
loop one after another, just like episodes of a series
on television. The components are connected
end-to-end with the last wire completing the circuit to
form the single loop, meaning there is only one path
for the to flow.
In a series circuit, if a lamp breaks or a component is disconnected,
the circuit is broken and all the components stop working.
Current stops flowing in the circuit because there is no longer a complete loop –
there is no complete path to allow the current to flow.
Current and resistance in series circuits
The has the same value everywhere in a circuit. It does not matter where you put the ,
it will give you the same reading.
The circuit here contains a cell, two lamps and three ammeters.
The ammeters all give the same reading, because there is only one path to allow the
current to flow.
• Adding components in series
• Adding more components to a series circuit increases the total
resistance in the circuit, so less current flows.
• The circuit on the left contains a lamp, a cell, a switch, and an
ammeter. 4 A of current flows.
• The circuit on the right contains two lamps, a cell, a switch, and
an ammeter.
• The resistance of two lamps is greater than the resistance of
one lamp, so the current is lower. The reading on the ammeter
is only 2 A. This means the lamps are dimmer
Connecting components in parallel
When we connect in , the components are connected on different branches of the
circuit.
There are two or more 'loops’ and multiple paths for a to flow.
• In a parallel circuit, if a lamp breaks or a component is
disconnected, the other components continue working. This is
because current continues to flow along remaining paths in the
circuit.

• Switches
• Switches can be added to a parallel circuit to turn components
on and off.
• The position of switches in parallel circuit is important. If the
switch is open, both lamps are off. When the switch is closed,
both lamps are on.
Parallel circuits are often used in homes. It allows
individual devices to be controlled using switches. You
don’t have to have all your devices switched on at the
same time!
Current and resistance in parallel circuits
The current can have different values in different parts of a
parallel circuit. This is because there are multiple paths for
current to flow.
The current is shared between the different branches of
the circuit
•when current reaches a junction in the circuit, it splits up
and some current flows along each route
•when two branches of a circuit meet, the current combines
again
•the total current flowing through the cell can be found by
adding the individual currents flowing through each
branch.

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