Electric Circuits and Properties

Series Circuits

• Components are connected end-to-end.

• Current flows through each component sequentially.

• Failure of one component causes the entire circuit to fail.

Parallel Circuits

• Components are connected across branches.

• Current divides among branches.

• If one branch fails, the rest continue to function.

• Adding branches decreases total resistance, allowing higher overall current.

Electrical Power and Components

• Power (P) is energy transfer rate; higher current leads to higher power: P = I^2R.

• Resistance affects energy transfer as it converts energy into heat, light, etc.

• In series, higher resistance leads to higher brightness/temperature due to uniform current.

• In parallel, higher resistance decreases current, reducing brightness/temperature.

Key Relationships

• Doubling current quadruples power; doubling resistance doubles power when current is constant.