Series and Parallel Circuits

Vocabulary flashcards covering current, potential difference, resistance, factors affecting wire resistance, and the properties of series and parallel circuits.

Current ($I$)

The rate of flow of charge ($Q$ divided by time $t$), usually represented by moving electrons in most circuits.

Potential Difference (PD)

The energy transferred per unit charge to each coulomb of charge, calculated as energy divided by charge ($\text{PD} = \frac{E}{Q}$).

Ohm's Law

The principle stating that voltage or potential difference is proportional to current, with the constant of proportionality for a fixed resistor being its resistance.

Resistance ($R$)

The opposition to current given by potential difference divided by current, caused by collisions between moving electrons and vibrating metal ions.

Temperature Effect on Resistance

An increase in temperature causes metal ions to vibrate more, leading to an increased number of collisions with electrons and thereby increasing resistance.

Thickness Effect on Resistance

Decreasing the thickness of a wire increases resistance because there are fewer paths available for electrons to pass through.

Length Effect on Resistance

An increase in the length of a wire causes its electrical resistance to increase.

Series Circuit

An electrical circuit configured in a single loop where electrons or current can only follow one path.

Current in a Series Circuit

Current that is the same at any point in the circuit because all electrons must travel around the loop at the same rate.

Potential Difference in a Series Circuit

The shared voltage across components, where the total potential difference from the power source is divided among components as electrons transfer their energy.

Resistance in a Series Circuit

The total opposition to current found by calculating the sum of the individual resistances, because electrons must flow through each resistor consecutively.

Parallel Circuit

An electrical circuit containing junctions that create multiple branches or paths through which electrons can flow.

Current in a Parallel Circuit

Current that is shared between the different branches when electrons split up at junctions.

Potential Difference in a Parallel Circuit

Voltage that is identical across each branch because electrons transfer the full amount of energy per coulomb picked up from the battery along each path.

Total Resistance in a Parallel Circuit

An overall resistance that is lower than the resistance of the lowest individual resistor, because adding extra paths increases total current.