4.2.2 - series and parallel circuits

What are the two ways you can join electrical components?

• series

• parallel

In series describe the current , pd and resistance

Current - same current flows through all components I1 = I2

Pd - total pd is shared between the components Vtotal = V1 + V2 +

Resistance - total resistances of 2 components is the sum of the resistance of each component Rtoatl = R1 + R2

Describe why resistance adds up in series circuits.

When you add a resistor, the two resistors share the pd

If pd is lower than current is also lower

As in a series, the current is the same everywhere, so the total current in a circuit is reduced when a resistor is added

So total resistant in the circuit increases

in paralle describe the current, pd and resistance

current - total current through the circuit is the sum of the current though the separate components / current is also shared between branches

Pd - the pd is the same across all components

Resistance - the total resistance of two resistors is less than the resistance of the smallest individual resistor

Explain why resistance is like that in parallel

current has more than one direction to go in = increase in current

So if pd is the same and current increases, this leads to a decrease in the total resistance of the circuit