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Series and Parallel Circuits - Information Sheet

The document explains the differences between series and parallel circuits. In series circuits, components are connected end-to-end, resulting in a single path for current flow, where a break in any component stops the entire circuit. In contrast, parallel circuits have multiple paths for current, allowing other components to function even if one fails, with voltage remaining constant across all components.

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sharanya ramanathan
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27 views3 pages

Series and Parallel Circuits - Information Sheet

The document explains the differences between series and parallel circuits. In series circuits, components are connected end-to-end, resulting in a single path for current flow, where a break in any component stops the entire circuit. In contrast, parallel circuits have multiple paths for current, allowing other components to function even if one fails, with voltage remaining constant across all components.

Uploaded by

sharanya ramanathan
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 & Parallel Circuits

I. Series Circuits
When we connect components in
series they are all in the same
loop one after another. 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 current 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.
Adding more components to a series circuit increases the total resistance in the
circuit, so less current flows. Remember, current is not used up by the components
in a circuit. This means that the current is the same everywhere in a series circuit,
even if it has lots of lamps or other components.
Key Points to Remember:
• The current has the same value
everywhere in a series circuit.
• The voltage is divided/shared
between the components or
resistors present in the circuit.
• The total resistance in a series circuit
can be calculated by adding up each
individual resistance: Rtotal = R1 + R2

Information Sheet – Series & Parallel Circuits


Example 1:
This circuit below, contains a 6 V battery and
two 100 Ω resistors in series.
Voltmeters have been connected across the
battery and the components to measure the
potential difference.
As the resistors are identical, the potential
difference across each resistor is 3 V - it is
shared equally between them.

If the components in a series circuit have different resistances, the potential


difference does not divide equally across them.

Example 2:
In this diagram the potential difference
produced by the battery is 6 V.
The 100 Ω resistor has twice the resistance of
the 50 Ω resistor.
The potential difference across the 100 Ω
resistor is twice the potential difference across
the 50 Ω resistor.
There are 4 V across the 100 Ω resistor and 2
V across the 50 Ω resistor.
4V+2V=6V

Information Sheet – Series & Parallel Circuits


II. Parallel Circuits
When we connect components in parallel,
the components are connected on different
branches of the circuit. There are two or
more 'loops’ and multiple paths for
a current 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.
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!
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.
Key Points to Remember:
• In a parallel circuit voltage remains the same at all points in the circuit.
• Current has multiple paths to flow, hence it splits up at each branch and
takes different values, depending on the components in that specific path.
• The total resistance of a parallel circuit is always less. The more components
added, the lesser the total resistance becomes.

Information Sheet – Series & Parallel Circuits

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