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2.10 - Cells in Series and Parallel Circuits
2.10 - Cells in Series and Parallel Circuits
10.7
In a parallel circuit, cells are connected side by side, or in parallel to increase the electric charge. the electron flow through only one cell before passing through the load (resistor). Therefore, the electric potential (voltage) of the electron remains the same as if there were only one cell in the circuit But the duration of time the load will operate is directly related to the number of cells in the circuit. Ex:* With two cells there is twice as much electric energy available; therefore the load can operate twice as long before running out of energy.
Series Circuits
Series: circuit is wired in one single path. Ex: Christmas lights, if one bulb burns out, all the lights have to be checked to find the burned out bulb.
Parallel Circuits
Parallel: Circuit passes through separate circuits called branch circuits. Because each bulb is connected to its own branch circuit, it does not affect the other bulbs.