Topic 2 - Series and Parallel Circuits Flashcards
how are series circuits set up?
the different components are connected in a line, end to end
what happens in a series circuit if you disconnect one component?
every component stops working
what happens if you add more cells into a series circuit?
the voltage increases. e.g. when 2 batteries with voltages of 1.5V are connected in series they supply 3V
how does current change in a series circuit?
its the same everywhere
what does size of current depend on in a series circuit?
total potential difference and total resistance
what happens to the total voltage in a series circuit?
its shared between components, depending on their resistance
what is the total resistance of a series circuit?
the sum of the resistance of each component in the circuit
how are parallel circuits set up?
each component is separately connected, in a separate branch
what happens in a parallel circuit if you disconnect one component?
it will hardly affect the others
what happens to the voltage in a parallel circuit?
its the same across all branches
what happens to current in a parallel circuit?
its shared between branches
what happens to the current at a junction in a parallel circuit?
it can spit or rejoin but the total current going in equals the total current leaving
what does the current in a branch depend on in a parallel circuit?
the resistance of the branch - the higher the resistance the lower the current
