P3 - Investigating Series and Parallel Circuits

Question 1

The net resistance of a circuit is what?

Answer 1

The sum of resistance of all the components in the circuit

Question 2

Resistance is inversely proportional to the potential difference, explain.

Answer 2

As the resistance increases, the potential difference decreases.

Question 3

If you have a series circuit of 3 identical bulbs what will you notice about the potential difference as each bulb is added and why?

Answer 3

As the bulbs are add to the circuit they will all dim equally, this is because the net p.d. is shared across all the components.

Vt = V1 + V2 + V3

Question 4

If you have a series circuit of 3 identical bulbs what will you notice about the current as each bulb is added and why?

Answer 4

As each bulb is added the current will fall, this is because the current is inversely proportional to the resistance.

I.e. as the resistance increases the current decreases.