Parallel circuit Flashcards
How are ammeters connected in a parallel circuit?
In series
What happens if you remove or disconnect a component in parallel circuit?
It will hardly affect the others.
What can be said about the pd in a parallel circuit?
It’s the same across all the components.
V1 = V2 = V3
What can be said about the current in a parallel circuit?
the total current through the whole circuit is the sum of the currents through the separate components. There are junction where the current either splits or rejoins - the total I going into a junction has to equal the total I leaving it. And if 2 identical components are joined in parallel then the same current will flow through each component
What does adding a resistor to a parallel circuit do to the overall resistance?
It reduces the total resistance. the total resistance of two resistors is less than the resistance of the smallest individual resistor.
Why does adding resistors to a parallel circuit reduce the total resistance?
In parallel both resistors have the same pd across the source - so the ‘pushing force’ making the charge flow is the same as the source pd for each resistor that u add. But, by adding another loop the current has more than 1 direction to go in, which increases the total current that can flow around the circuit. V=IR so for the same pd an increase in I means a decrease in R.
