Series vs. Parallel Circuits PDF

# SERIES vs. PARALLEL CIRCUITS ## LOADS in SERIES - When loads are connected in series, there is only one path for current to flow. - If there are multiple loads in series, the total resistance increases, and the voltage across each load decreases. - If more light bulbs are added in series, they b...

# SERIES vs. PARALLEL CIRCUITS ## LOADS in SERIES - When loads are connected in series, there is only one path for current to flow. - If there are multiple loads in series, the total resistance increases, and the voltage across each load decreases. - If more light bulbs are added in series, they become dimmer because they share the voltage from the source. - The overall current in the circuit decreases because every load acts like a resistor. - If a bulb is broken, the circuit breaks, and all bulbs go off because there is only one path for current. - In parallel circuits, the other bulbs will continue to work. ## LOADS in PARALLEL - When loads are connected in parallel, there are multiple paths for electrons to flow. - The voltage across each load is the same as the source. - All bulbs will have full brightness, just like a single bulb. - The current at the source is split through each branch and rejoins at the source. ## SERIES: SUM V's, SAME I's - The voltage varies at the loads, but the current remains the same throughout the circuit. **Example:** A series circuit has four identical lamps. The potential difference across the battery is 30 V. The total resistance in the circuit is 20 Ω. Calculate the potential difference across each lamp and the current through each lamp. ## PARALLEL: SAME V's, SUM I's - The voltage is the same on every branch, but the current splits up on each branch and rejoins again. **Example:** A parallel circuit has two identical lamps. The potential difference across the battery is 12 V. The total resistance in the circuit is 6 Ω. What is the current through each lamp? Calculate the potential difference across each lamp.