Physics ks4 Lesson Phy Y10 U3 l8

Combined Science - Physics - Key Stage 4 - Electricity
Series and Parallel Circuits

Worksheet
Miss Walrond
1
Alyssia is doing electricity experiments.
Q1. Alyssia investigates the current in circuits made from cells and lamps.
All the cells are alike and all the lamps are alike.
Here are four circuits she connects up. Each circuit contains an ammeter.
For each statement choose the
correct circuit.
Put a letter A, B, C or D in each

box to show your choice.
You can use each letter once,

twice or not at all.
(i) The ammeter in this circuit has the smallest reading. [1]
(ii) The ammeter in this circuit has the greatest reading. [1]
(iii) In these TWO circuits the lamps are connected in and [1]
parallel.
OCR, Twenty First Century Physics B, A182/01, June 2017.
2
Q2.
Riya connects an electrical circuit.
The voltmeter reading is 3.0 V.
The ammeter reading is 1.5A.

i. Calculate the resistance of the lamp.
answer ......................................... ohms [2]
Ii.. Riya wants to decrease the total resistance of the circuit.
She cannot change the voltage.
Describe two changes she could make to this electrical circuit to
decrease the total resistance. [2]
OCR, Gateway Physics, B752/02, June 2017.
3
Answers
4
Q1
1. i. C 1
ii. D 1
iii. B and D 1 (both needed).
2. i. 2 2
3 / 1.5 (if answer is incorrect or incomplete) 1
ii. Any two from:

Reduce the setting on the variable resistor 1
Remove the lamp or variable resistor 1
Make the wires shorter 1
Use thicker wire 1
Place resistor and lamp in parallel 1
5
In lesson questions
6
Independent Task - Series and Parallel
Copy and complete the table using the text below.
(Hint: you will need to sort the statements)
Series Parallel
Current
Potential difference
The current is the same through each The potential difference splits between
component. components.
The potential difference across each The current splits between branches.
branch is the same.
7
Independent Task 1 - application of series and parallel
Copy and complete the sentences using the words below. You can use
words, once, more than once or not at all.
1) When we add another lamp into a series circuit, the total resistance
____________, this means that the total current _______________. Also,
the potential difference across each of the lamps ______________. This
means that the lamps all become _____________.
2) When we add another lamp into a parallel circuit in a new branch,

the total resistance _________________, the current through each lamp
_____________. Also, the potential difference across each of the lamps
____________. This means that the lamps have the same brightness.
increases decreases is the same brighter dimmer
8
Lydia is comparing series and
parallel circuits in a class practical.
Put a tick (✔) in the box next to

the correct answer.
The reading on A1 is less than the reading

on A2.
The total resistance in circuit B is 6 Ω.
The p.d. across the 8 Ω is the same in both
Answers as discussed in the next 3 circuits.
slides have not been seen or veriﬁed The p.d. across A2 is very large
by OCR. [1]
OCR, Twenty First Century Physics, Paper j259, Specimen.
9
Independent Task - Combining Cells
Answer the questions below.
1) Assume that the cells all have a voltage of 2 V. Write down the battery
voltage.
2) Assume that the cells have a voltage of 9 V. Write down the battery
voltage.
3) Describe what happens to the current when two cells are combined
a) in series. b) in parallel.
10
Worked Example 3
Tim sets up this parallel circuit.
i. What is the voltage between points X and Y?

voltage = ......................................................................... V [1]
ii. All the resistors have the same resistance.
What is the current through point Z?

current = ......................................................................... A [1]
OCR, Twenty First Century Physics, Paper A182, June 2016.
11
Independent Task: Series
The resistors in this circuit are identical and
and Parallel
have a resistance of 30 ꭥ.
Each resistor is identical and has a 1) Calculate the current through resistor 1.
resistance of 10 ꭥ. Calculate the 2) Calculate the current through the second

branch.
current through each resistor, and the
3) Explain your answer to question 2.
potential difference across each 4) Calculate the potential difference across
resistor. resistors 2 and 3
Images, Miss Walrond
12
Answers
13
Independent Task
Series Parallel
Current The current is the same The current splits

through each component. between branches.
Potential difference The potential difference The potential difference
splits between across each branch is the
components. same.
14
Independent Task
Copy and complete the sentences using the words below. You can use
words, once, more than once or not at all.
1) When we add another lamp into a series circuit, the total resistance
increases
____________, decreases
this means that the total current _______________. Also,
decreases
the potential difference across each of the lamps ______________. This
dimmer
means that the lamps all become _____________.
2) When we add another lamp into a parallel circuit in a new branch,

decreases
the total resistance _________________, the current through each lamp
is the same
_____________. Also, the potential difference across each of the lamps
is the same This means that the lamps have the same brightness.
____________.
15
Lydia is comparing series and
parallel circuits in a class practical.
Put a tick (✔) in the box next to

the correct answer.
The reading on A1 is less than the reading

on A2.
The total resistance in circuit B is 6 Ω.
The p.d. across the 8 Ω is the same in both
Answers as discussed in the next slide circuits.
have not been seen or veriﬁed by The p.d. across A2 is very large
OCR. [1]
OCR, Twenty First Century Physics, Paper j259, Specimen.
16
Review: Independent Task - Combining Cells
1) Assume that the cells all have a voltage of 2 V. Write down the battery
voltage.
4V 2V
2) Assume that the cells have a voltage of 9 V. Write down the battery
voltage.
18 V 9V
3) Describe what happens to the current when two cells are combined
a) in series. The current will increase.
b) in parallel. The current will increase.
17
Review: Independent
The resistors in this circuit are identical and
Task: Series and Parallel
have a resistance of 30 ꭥ.
Each resistor is identical and has a 1) Calculate the current through resistor 1.
resistance of 10 ꭥ. Calculate 2) Calculate the current through the second

branch.
a) the current through each resistor 3) Calculate the potential difference across
b) potential difference across each resistors 2 and 3
resistor.
Images, Miss Walrond

18

Physics ks4 Lesson Phy Y10 U3 l8

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Physics ks4 Lesson Phy Y10 U3 l8

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Physics ks4 Lesson Phy Y10 U3 l8

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Combined Science - Physics - Key Stage 4 - Electricity

Series and Parallel Circuits

Put a letter A, B, C or D in each

You can use each letter once,

The ammeter reading is 1.5A.

OCR, Gateway Physics, B752/02, June 2017.

ii. Any two from:

2) When we add another lamp into a parallel circuit in a new branch,

Put a tick (✔) in the box next to

The reading on A1 is less than the reading

Tim sets up this parallel circuit.

i. What is the voltage between points X and Y?

What is the current through point Z?

OCR, Twenty First Century Physics, Paper A182, June 2016.

resistance of 10 ꭥ. Calculate the 2) Calculate the current through the second

Images, Miss Walrond

Current The current is the same The current splits

2) When we add another lamp into a parallel circuit in a new branch,

Put a tick (✔) in the box next to

The reading on A1 is less than the reading

resistance of 10 ꭥ. Calculate 2) Calculate the current through the second

Images, Miss Walrond

You might also like