Series & Parallel Circuits
There are two ways of joining electrical components: in series and in parallel
o Some circuits include both series and parallel parts
A series circuit consists of a string of two or more components, connected end to end:
Diagram showing two bulbs connected in series
A parallel circuit consists of two or more components attached along separate branches of the circuit
Diagram showing two bulbs connected in parallel
Series Circuits
In a series circuit:
o The current is the same at all points ie. through each component
o The total potential difference of the power supply is shared between the components
o The total resistance of two components is the sum of the resistance of each component
Lamps connected in a series circuit
In the above circuit:
o The current from the power supply is the same as the current in both lamps I = I1 = I2
o If the battery is marked 12 V, then the potential difference would be 12 ÷ 2 = 6 V across each lamp
o If each lamp has a resistance of R, then the total resistance in the circuit is equal to R + R = 2R
Parallel Circuits
In a parallel circuit:
o The total current through the whole circuit is the sum of the currents through the separate
components
o The potential difference across each component is the same
o The total resistance of two resistors is less than the resistance of the smallest individual resistor
Lamps connected in a parallel circuit
In the above circuit:
o Because the current splits up, the sum of currents in each branch will equal the current from the
power supply I = I1 + I2
o If the battery is marked 12 V, then the potential difference would be 12 V across each lamp
o If each lamp has a resistance of R, then the total resistance in the circuit will be less than 2R
Note that the current does not always split equally – often there will be more current in some branches than
in others
o The current in each branch will only be identical if the resistance of the components along each
branch are identical
Current behaves in this way because it is the flow of electrons:
o Electrons are physical matter – they cannot be created or destroyed
o This means the total number of electrons (and hence current) going around a circuit must remain the
same
o When the electrons reach a junction, however, some of them will go one way and the rest will go the
other
Current is split at a junction into individual branches
Resistance is defined as the opposition to current:
o The higher the resistance of a circuit, the lower the current
o This means that good conductors have a low resistance and insulators have a high resistance
The symbol for resistance is R
It is measured in Ohms (Ω)
o Ω is the Greek capital letter ‘Omega’
o An Ohm is defined as one volt per ampere (1 V / A)
The resistance of a circuit can be increased by adding resistors (or variable resistors) to it
Every electrical component has a resistance, even wires
o In exam questions, the resistance of the wires and batteries are assumed to be negligible
High resistance means there is lower current and vice versa
The current I through a component depends on both the resistance R of the component and the potential
difference V across the component
o The greater the resistance R of the component, the lower the current I for a given potential
difference V across the component
o The lower the resistance R of the component, the greater the current I for a given potential
difference V across the component
Calculating Current, Resistance & Potential Difference
The current, resistance and potential difference of a component in a circuit are calculated using the equation:
This equation can be rearranged with the help of the following formula triangle:
Voltage, current, resistance formula triangle
Worked Example
Calculate the potential difference through a resistor of resistance 10 Ω if there is a current of 0.3 A through it.
Answer:
Step 1: List the known quantities
Resistance, R = 10 Ω
Current, I = 0.3 A
Step 2: Write the equation relating resistance, potential difference and current
V = IR
Step 3: Substitute in the values
V = 0.3 × 10 = 3 V