Series and Parallel Circuits

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes regarding the definitions and behaviors of current and voltage in series and parallel circuits.

Series circuit

A circuit arrangement that has a single path for the electric current to pass through, where all electrons pass through all of the components in the circuit.

Parallel circuit

A circuit arrangement where the electric current is split across one or more pathways, so that electrons are divided and only a portion flow through any one branch.

Current in a series circuit

The electric current is the same at every point in the circuit.

Current in a parallel circuit

The total current in the circuit is equal to the sum of the current in each of the branches.

Voltage in a series circuit

The voltage is shared across each component; the sum of the voltage across each component is equal to the total voltage supplied to the circuit.

Voltage in a parallel circuit

The voltage across each branch is the same as the total voltage supplied to the circuit.

Current distribution in parallel branches

The electrical current in these circuits splits proportionally to the resistance on each branch.

Supplied Voltage (Diagram Example)

The total potential difference supplied to the circuit, in this case recorded as $9\,V$.

Current (Diagram Example)

Flow of electric charge, which in the parallel diagram example results in a total of $2\,A$ splitting into branches.