How to design and interpret a simple circuit

Question 1

Describe the current, voltage, and brightness of a series circuit.

Answer 1

Current: The same current flows through all lamps

Voltage: The total voltage is divided among the lamps. If n lamps are connected in series and the total voltage is V, then each lamp gets V/n.

Brightness: If all the lamps are identical, they will have the same brightness. This brightness is lower in a parallel circuit. If one light burns out, the circuit is broken, and all lamps will go out.

Question 2

Describe the current, voltage, and brightness of a parallel circuit

Answer 2

Current: The total current from the source is divided among the lamps, but each lamp receives the full source voltage.

Voltage: Each lamp gets the same voltage V as the source, which is the total voltage of the circuit.

Brightness: All lamps can shine at full brightness as they receive the same voltage. If one lamp goes out, the others remain lit since they are independent of each other