Lesson 7 - Series & Parallel Circuits Flashcards
Make an analogy to explain what voltage is in a circuit?
You could take a water tank as an example for the circuit, and the pressure in the water and the voltage. (Not necessary to know this, it will just help in your understanding. Mark 5 even if you didn’t know)
Why can it be dangerous to use a splitter or extension lead in a socket?
By too many devices being plugged in a socket, it could cause a potential spark to occur between the 2 because of so much charge being released.
Are there branches in a series circuit?
There are no branches in a series circuit.
Is the voltage shared between components in a series circuit?
Yes
How many paths can a series circuit take?
One
Are there multiple branches in a parallel circuit?
Yes
Is the voltage shared between components in a parallel circuit?
No, each loop is supplied with full voltage.
When 2 light bulbs are connected in a series circuit, what happens to the resistance compared to the resistance with one light bulb? What does increased resistance do?
The resistance increases. Increased resistance opposes the flow of current, so fewer electrons pass per second, transferring less energy.
Are 2 bulbs going to be bright as 1 bulb with the same charge?
No, 2 bulbs will be dimmer than 1.
When 2 bulb are connected in a parallel circuit, what happens to the resistance compared to the resistance with one light bulb?
The resistance in each branch is the same, just like they would be with 1 light bulbs. The same energy is transferred to each branch from the battery.
What is the difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit?
The difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit is that in a series circuit the electrons have only one path that they can travel from but in a parallel circuit the electrons have multiple paths that they can choose from.
