Section 1: Series and parallel circuits

What is a series circuit?

A circuit with one continuous path for current.

What is a parallel circuit?

A circuit with two or more separate branches.

What happens to current in a series circuit?

Current is the same everywhere.

What happens to voltage in a series circuit?

Voltage is shared between components

What happens to current in a parallel circuit?

Current splits between the branches.

What happens to voltage in a parallel circuit?

Each branch gets the full supply voltage.

What happens if one lamp breaks in a series circuit?

All lamps go out because the circuit is broken.

What happens if one lamp breaks in a parallel circuit?

The other lamps stay on

Why is domestic lighting connected in parallel?

Each light works independently and gets full supply voltage.

Give three advantages of parallel circuits for house lighting.

• Independent switches.

• Each light receives full supply voltage.

• Other lights stay on if one fails.