ADDING OR REMOVING COMPONENTS IN A CIRCUIT
This topic explains key concepts about current in a series circuit and the effect of adding
or removing cells in a circuit.
1. Current in a Series Circuit:
• Concept of Current in Series Circuits
o In a series circuit, the electric current flows equally throughout all
parts of the circuit. The same amount of current flows through each
component.
o The analogy used to describe this is that of a train: all parts of the
train move at the same speed, meaning electrons move together in
the circuit.
o When the back of the train (or electrons at one end of the circuit)
moves, the front (or the rest of the electrons) moves
simultaneously. Similarly, when electrons start flowing in one part of
the series circuit, they flow through all parts of the series.
• Ammeter Readings in Series Circuits
o An ammeter measures current, and in a series circuit, you can
place it at any point in the circuit, and it will give the same reading.
This demonstrates that the current is uniform across the entire
circuit.
o The ammeter reading stays the same if the components are
identical in the circuit.
• Effects of Changing Components
o While the arrangement of components in a series circuit does not
affect the current, adding or removing components can influence
the circuit’s behaviour.
o Adding components may add resistance or alter the load, which
could reduce the current depending on the type of component
added. Conversely, removing components can increase the
current, depending on what is removed.
o The effect on the current depends on which components are added
or removed.
2. Adding or Removing Cells
• Cells and Batteries as Energy Sources
o Cells and Batteries store chemical energy, which is converted to
electrical energy when used in a circuit.
o When a complete circuit is formed, this chemical energy turns into
electrical energy, powering the components (like lamps) in the
circuit.
• Effects of Adding Cells
o When more cells are added to a circuit, the chemical energy
available to be converted into electrical energy increases.
o As a result, the electrical energy and, therefore, the current in the
circuit increase proportionally.
• Example with Two Circuits
o The diagrams below show two circuits: one with one cell and one
with two cells. All other components (such as the lamp and the
ammeter) are identical in both circuits.
o In the circuit with two cells, the ammeter shows a current reading
of 2.8 A, which is double the reading of 1.4 A in the circuit with one
cell. This demonstrates that the current doubles when you double
the number of cells, assuming the components are the same.
o As the current increases, the lamp in the circuit with two cells will
be brighter due to the greater energy supplied to it.
Key Takeaways:
o In a series circuit, current remains the same at all points, if the
components are identical, and the ammeter will reflect this uniformity.
o Adding or removing components will change the circuit’s,
depending on the nature of the components altered.
o Increasing the number of cells in a circuit leads to more electrical
energy, resulting in a higher current and brighter lamp. The current
in the circuit doubles when you double the number of cells.
Adding or Removing Lamps
1. Effect of Lamps on Electrical Energy
o Lamps covert electrical energy into light and thermal energy.
o When electrons move through a lamp, some of their electrical energy is
transferred to the lamp, which then emits light and heat.
2. Effect on Electron Movement
o The current in series circuit remains the same at all points.
o Adding a lamp causes the electrons to slow down overall but move at
the same reduced speed throughout the circuit.
3. Circuit Behaviour with Two Lamps
o In a circuit with two lamps, the energy transferred is double compared to
a single lamp circuit.
o As a result, both lamps will be dimmer (lower brighter) since they share
the total energy available.
o
4. Impact on Ammeter Readings
o When more lamps are added, the electrons move more slowly, reducing
the current. The ammeter reading on the ammeter decreases.
o The example shows a decrease from 1.4 A (with one lamp) to 0.7 A (with
two lamps).
5. General Rule for Adding or Removing Lamps
o Adding lamps decreases the current when other components remain
constant.
o Removing lamps increases the current when other components stay the
same.
