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Questions and Answers
What best describes a series circuit?
What best describes a series circuit?
What happens to the entire circuit if one component breaks in a series circuit?
What happens to the entire circuit if one component breaks in a series circuit?
How is the total resistance calculated in a parallel circuit?
How is the total resistance calculated in a parallel circuit?
In a parallel circuit, what occurs when one component fails?
In a parallel circuit, what occurs when one component fails?
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What is the voltage drop across components in a series circuit?
What is the voltage drop across components in a series circuit?
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Which statement is true regarding alternating current (AC)?
Which statement is true regarding alternating current (AC)?
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What is the relationship between total current and individual branch currents in a parallel circuit?
What is the relationship between total current and individual branch currents in a parallel circuit?
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Which symbol represents resistance in an electrical circuit?
Which symbol represents resistance in an electrical circuit?
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Study Notes
Electricity: Series and Parallel Circuits
- Series Circuit: Current flows through a single path. Components are connected end-to-end. Failure of one component stops the entire circuit.
- Parallel Circuit: Current flows through multiple paths. Components are connected across each other. Failure of one component does not affect the others.
Differences
| Feature | Series Circuit | Parallel Circuit |
|---|---|---|
| Current flow | Single path | Multiple paths |
| Voltage | Divided among components | Same across all components |
| Resistance | Total resistance is the sum of individual resistances (RT = R1 + R2 + R3) | Total resistance is less than the smallest resistance (1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3) |
| Failure effect | Failure of one component stops the circuit | Failure of one component doesn't affect others |
Electrical Quantities
- Voltage (V): Electrical pressure, measured in Volts (V).
- Resistance (R): Opposition to current flow, measured in Ohms (Ω).
- Current (I): Flow of electric charge, measured in Amperes (A).
- Total Resistance (Series): Sum of individual resistances (RT = R1 + R2...).
- Total Resistance (Parallel): Reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of individual resistances (1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2...).
Voltage Drop
- Series Circuit: Voltage drops across each resistor in the circuit. Sum of individual voltage drops equals the total voltage (VT = V1 + V2...).
- Parallel Circuit: Voltage remains constant across all branches. Same voltage across each component (VT = V1 = V2 = V3...).
Current Flow
- Series Circuit: Same current flows through all components (IT = I1 = I2 = I3...).
- Parallel Circuit: Total current is the sum of the individual branch currents (IT = I1 + I2 + I3...).
Ohm's Law
- Voltage (V) equals current (I) multiplied by resistance (R).
- Equation: V = IR
- Or, current (I) equals voltage (V) divided by resistance (R).
- Equation: I = V/R
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Description
Explore the fundamental differences between series and parallel circuits. This quiz covers how current flows, voltage distribution, and the effects of component failure in each type of circuit. Test your knowledge of electrical quantities and circuit behavior.
