Electricity 4.2.2 Series and Parallel Circuit

Series Circuit

Single loop circuit with one current path.

Parallel Circuit

Multiple loops allowing multiple current paths.

Current in Series

Same current flows through all components.

Current in Parallel

Current splits at junctions but total remains constant.

Potential Difference in Series

Voltage shared among components in the circuit.

Potential Difference in Parallel

Same voltage across each branch of the circuit.

Resistance in Series

Total resistance increases with added resistors.

Resistance in Parallel

Total resistance decreases when adding resistors.

Resistance Calculation

Resistance calculated using R = V/I.

Independent Variable

Number of resistors in the circuit.

Dependent Variable

Total resistance measured in the circuit.

Control Variables

Voltage and type of resistors must remain constant.

Ammeter

Measures current in a circuit.

Voltmeter

Measures voltage across components.

Power Supply

Provides electrical energy to the circuit.

Connecting Wires

Conduct electricity between circuit components.

Investigating Resistance

Experimenting with resistors in series and parallel.

Total Resistance in Series

Increases as more resistors are added.

Total Resistance in Parallel

Decreases as more resistors are added.