Series And Parallel Circuits

Question 1

Is potential difference shared in series

Answer 1

Yes, it’s shared between various components. So the voltages round a series circuit always add up to equal the source voltage.

Question 2

Is current the same everywhere in series

Answer 2

Yes, the same current flows through all parts of the circuit

Question 3

What is the total resistance in series

Answer 3

In series circuits the total resistance is just the sum of all the resistances.

The bigger the resistance of a component, the bigger its share of the total P.D.

Question 4

What happens when the two cell batteries are connected in series

Answer 4

They add up

Question 5

How are the components connected in parallel

Answer 5

Each component is separately connected to the +ve and -ve of the supply.

If you remove or disconnect one of them, it will hardly affect the others at all

Question 6

Do all components get the full source of potential difference in parallel

Answer 6

Yes, the voltage is the same across all components.

This means that identical bulbs connected in parallel will all be at the same brightness

Question 7

How is current shared in parallel

Answer 7

Between branches,

In parallel the total current in the circuit is equal to the total of all the current in the separate branches

Question 8

How are the components connected in a series circuit

Answer 8

In a line, end to end

If you remove or disconnect one component, the circuit is broken and they all stop.