Module 8 – Direct-Current Circuits

Direct-Current Circuits
Module 8

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

8.1 Evaluate the equivalent resistance, current, and voltage in a given network of resistors
connected in series and/or parallel
8.2 Solve problems involving the calculation of currents and potential difference in circuits
consisting of resistors.

THE BIG IDEA

Electric circuits are commonly used in places and materials. Some are simple, such as those in
flashlights. Others, such as those used in supercomputers, are extremely complex. This chapter takes
the topic of electric circuits a step beyond simple circuits. When the circuit is purely resistive, this
chapter applies to both DC and AC. Matters become more complex when capacitance is involved. This
chapter discusses the connections of capacitors to DC voltage sources.

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DEEPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING

COMBINATION OF RESISTORS
An electric circuit is a group of electrical components that are connected to form a complete
path for current. A circuit where current flows in one direction is called direct current (DC) circuit. In
a DC circuit it is the battery or the DC generator that supplies the voltage. Flashlights, automobiles, and
cell phone wirings are example of DC circuits. However, when the current flowing through the circuit
constantly changes direction and magnitude, the circuit is called alternating current (AC) circuit. Here,
the current, as well as the voltage provided, varies sinusoidally with time. Household wiring is an AC
circuit because electric distributors supply alternating current and voltage.

SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS

The components of a circuit may be connected in series, parallel, or a combination of series and
parallel. A series circuit is a circuit that contains more than one electrical component connected one
after the other in a single path. In series circuit, the current flows in a single path and is the same in all
parts of the circuit. If the circuit is broken at any point, no current will flow. Christmas tree lights are
normally connected in series.
A parallel circuit is a circuit in which two or more electrical components are connected across
each other in such a way that the current is distributed between them. In such circuit, each component
operates independently of the other. Hence, even if component fails, the current still flows through the
others. Household appliances are usually connected in parallel.
Circuit diagrams may be used to analyze the voltage, current, in power dissipation through each
component of a circuit. Simple diagrams were already introduced in the previous chapter.
There are many components that may be used in an electrical circuit. However, this chapter will
focus only on resistors capacitors and cells.

RESISTORS
Resistors are almost always part of a DC circuit. They may be connected in series, parallel, or
a combination of both series in parallel. For any combination of resistors, there is always a single
equivalent resistor that can replace the combination without altering the total current and potential
difference. The resistance of this resistor is called the equivalent resistance Rtotal of the combination.
Ohm’s law may be used to determine the equivalent resistance for the series and parallel
combinations of resistors. Recall that Ohm’s law relates the voltage across a resistor to the current
flowing through it as given by the equation
V = IR
Consider the series combination of resistors shown in figure 8.1(a).

Fig. 8.1 (a) Series and (b) parallel combination of resistors

Note that in a series circuit, there is only one path where the current can flow (i.e., I = I1 = I2 =
I3), end the sum of the potential difference across individual components is equal to the potential
difference across the entire circuit (i.e., V = V1 +V2 + V3). Thus,
V1 = I1R1; V2 = I2R2 ; V3 = I3R3
V = V1 + V2 + V3
= I1R1 + I2R2 + I3R3
= I (R1 + R2 + R3).

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 Module 8 – Direct-Current Circuits

Using Ohm’s law (i.e., V = IRtotal), it follows that

Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3. Eq. 8.1
Now, consider the parallel combination of resistors shown in figure 8.1(b). Note that in a
parallel circuit, there are more than one path for the current flow and I = I1 + I2 + I3. In addition, because
all the resistors have points A and B in common the potential difference measured across all the three
resistors are the same as that one measured across any resistor (i.e., V = V1 + V2 + V3). Thus,
V1 V2 V3
I1 = ; I2 = ; I3 =
R1 R2 R3
Adding these currents,
I = I1 + I2 + I3
V1 V2 V3
= + +
R1 R2 R3
V V V
= + +
R1 R2 R3

=V
( 1
R1
+
1
R2
+
1
R3 )
By virtue of Ohm’s law,
( i.e., I =
V
Rtotal )
1 1 1 1
= + + Eq. 8.2
Rtotal R1 R2 R3

Table 8.1 summarizes the important properties of series and parallel resistors.
Table 8.1
Properties of Series and Parallel Resistors
Quantity Series Resistors Parallel Resistors
Current (I) I = I1 = I2 = I3 = … = In I = I1 = I2 = I3 = … = In
Voltage (V) V = V1 + V2 + V3 + … + Vn V = V1 = V2 = V3 = … = Vn
Equivalent resistance 1 1 1 1 1
Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3 + … + Rn = + + +…+
(Rtotal) Rtotal R1 R2 R3 Rn

It should be noted that as more resistors are added in series, the equivalent resistance increases.
However, connecting additional resistors in parallel decreases the equivalent resistance.
Resistors are not only connected in series or in parallel, but also in a combination of both series
and parallel. The equivalent resistance of such combination of resistors can be found by combining the
resistors part-by-part until it ends up with only a series or a parallel connection.

Example: Four resistors when connected in series give an equivalent resistance of 75Ω. Three of the
resistors have values of 18Ω, 6 Ω, and 24 Ω, respectively. What is the resistance of the fourth
resistor?

Solution: Using 8.1,

Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4
75Ω = 18Ω + 6Ω + 24Ω + R4
R4 = 75Ω – 48Ω
R4 = 27Ω

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 Module 8 – Direct-Current Circuits

Example: Find the equivalent resistance of the combination of resistors shown below.

Solution: R2 and R3 are in series. Therefore, their equivalent resistance R2, 3 = R2 + R3 = 3.5Ω + 2.5Ω =
6Ω. Replacing R2 and R3 by R2,3 reduces the original network to the simplified diagram below.

However, R2,3 and R4 are in parallel. Their combined resistance R2,3,4 is computed as follows:
1 1 1
= +
R2,3,4 R2,3 R4
1 1 1 4+1
= + =
R2,3,4 6Ω 24Ω 24Ω
24Ω
R2,3,4 = = 4.8 Ω
5
Replacing the parallel group of R2,3 and R4 by R2,3,4 reduces the combination to a single series
connection of resistors.

Therefore,
Rtotal = R1 + R2,3,4 + R5
= 5Ω + 4.8Ω + 9.2Ω
= 19Ω

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 Module 8 – Direct-Current Circuits

LEARNING RESOURCES

References:
Cacanindin, Dan Agustin A (2016) General Physics 2. 1253 Gregorio Araneta Avenue,
corner Maria Clara St, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila, Philippines: Vibal
Group, Inc.
David, Oliver M (2017) DIWA Senior High School Series: General Physics 2. 120 Rada
Corner Legaspi Street, Legaspi Village, Makati, 1229 Metro Manila, Philippines:
Diwa Learning Systems Inc.
Silverio, Angelina A (2017) Exploring Life through Science Series: Senior High School
General Physics 2. Phoenix bldg., 927, Quezon Ave, Quezon City, 1121 Metro
Manila, Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House.

ABOUT MODULE

Module Creator : Mr. Jomari B. Montalbo

Template & Layout Designer : Mr. Florence A. Somoria

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