Module 19: Electricity (2) Parallel and series circuit.

Resistance, Current and Potential Difference in Series Circuit

Effective Resistance: R = R 1 + R2

Current: I1 = I 2 = I 3

Potential Difference V = V1 + V2

Resistance, Current and Potential Difference in Parallel

Circuit

Effective Resistance: R = (R1 + R2 + R3)-1

Current: I = I 1 + I2 + I 3

Potential Difference V = V1 = V2 = V3
Now lets analyze the following SPM questions....

SPM 2004:

1. All the bulbs in the circuit below are identical?

Which of the following statements is true?

A Reading A1 >A2 >A3

B Reading A1 >A3 >A2 Answer: B

C Reading A2>A1>A3

D Reading A3 >A1 >A2

Explanation:
A1 is the biggest coz the current comes out directly from battery. Then this current will
be divided into A2 & A3. Seems the bulbs are identical, so resistance at A2 is higher coz
the branch is having 2 bulbs in a row. Flow of current will choose a route with smaller
resistance, thus current in A3 is bigger.

2. The diagram shows a circuit containing four bulbs, a, B, C and D, which are lit at
normal brightness. When a bulb is faulty, no current will flow through it. Which
bulb, when faulty will cause all the other bulbs not to light up?
Ans: D

Explanation :

Bulb A&C are parallel with B. If B blown up, current stil can flow thru A & C. If either A
or C blown up, current can flow via B & D.

However, if D blown up, the circuit is open ( or its like jambatan runtuh) i.e no current
can flow to negative terminal. Thus all light bulb will not light up.

3. The bulb in the circuit is lit at normal brightness when switches S1 and S2 are
closed.

Ans: A

If only S1 is closed, current will avoid higher resistance R, and follow the path with lower
reistance through S1. So larger current will cross the bulb, thus the brightness will
increase

If only S2 is closed, current has no choice, it still has to pass through the resistance R,
amount of current will drop,thus brightness will decrease.
 Answer All Questions

Understanding concept:

1) In each of the diagrams below, find the reading of the ammeter.

a. b.
2)

In the diagram above,

a. find the reading of the ammeter.

b. find the current flows through each of the resistors.

4) Find the reading of the given voltmeter(s) in the diagrams below

a. b.
5)

Find the potential difference across each of the resistors in the diagram above