P2 - Potential Difference in Parallel Circuits

What is potential difference (voltage)?

The energy transferred per coulomb of charge in a circuit

What does a potential difference of 1 volt mean?

1 joule of energy is transferred per 1 coulomb of charge

How is potential difference measured?

Using a voltmeter

How is a voltmeter connected in a circuit?

In parallel with the component you want to measure

What is the potential difference across a cell with 6V?

6 joules of energy are transferred per coulomb of charge

What happens to potential difference in a series circuit?

It is shared (split) between the components

What happens to potential difference in a parallel circuit?

It is the same across all components connected in parallel

In a parallel circuit, if the cell has a potential difference of 6V, what is the voltage across each branch?

6V across each branch

What is the key rule for potential difference in parallel circuits?

The potential difference is the same across each branch/component

If one lamp in a parallel circuit has a potential difference of 12V, what is the voltage across the cell?

12V

If one branch in a parallel circuit has a potential difference of 12V, what is the voltage across other branches?

12V

If two lamps are in series in one branch of a parallel circuit, what happens to voltage across them?

The total voltage across the two lamps adds up to the same as the other parallel branch

If one lamp has 7V and another in series with it has 2V, what is the total voltage across that branch?

9V

If the total voltage across a branch is 9V and one lamp is 7V, what is the voltage across the other lamp?

2V

Why do voltmeters show the same reading across components in parallel?

Because they are connected across the same two points in the circuit

If three lamps are in parallel and the cell has a voltage of 9V, what is the voltage across each lamp?

9V

Why do we use parallel circuits in homes?

Because each component receives full voltage and works independently

What is the voltage across a component in parallel with the cell?

The same as the voltage of the cell

How does potential difference explain energy transfer?

It tells us how much energy is transferred by each coulomb of charge

In a parallel circuit, if the cell is 9V and one branch has two lamps in series with 4V and 5V, is this correct?

Yes, because 4V + 5V = 9V, matching the cell and other branches

What happens to brightness of identical lamps in parallel vs. series?

Lamps in parallel are brighter because they get full voltage

How can we calculate voltage in parallel branches with series components?

Add the voltages of the components to match the total voltage of the branch

If voltmeter readings are different in two branches of a parallel circuit, is that correct?

No, all branches in parallel should have the same total voltage