7.
2 Flow of Electric Current in a Series Circuit and Parallel Circuit
Series Circuit
The circuit diagram
Arrangement of electrical Components are
components in the circuit connected one after
another from one end of
the circuit to the other end
of the circuit
Number of pathways for One path only
electric current to flow
Brightness of bulbs when Dim
switch is turned on. Why? The total voltage supplied
by the dry cells is shared
by the bulbs. Thus, the
bulbs light dimly
What happens to the other Cannot light up
bulbs when one of the Current cannot flow
bulbs in the circuit is through an incomplete
fused? Why? circuit
The current that flows Each bulb receives the
through each bulb same amount of current,
I supplied by the electrical
source.
I I1 I 2 I 3
The voltage across each  The voltage supplied
bulb by the electrical
source is shared by all
the bulbs
 The sum of voltage
across each bulb is
the same as the total
voltage supplied by
the electrical source.
V V1  V2  V3
The effective resistance, R The effective resistance
in the circuit increases when the
number of bulbs increases.
R R1  R2  R3
Parallel Circuit
Components are
connected side by side in
two or more paths to the
ends of the battery
More than one path
Bright
Each bulb receives full
voltage from the dry cells.
Thus, the bulbs light more
brightly
Can still light up
Current can still follow
through other paths in the
circuit
The current from the
electrical source is shared
between each bulb
I I1  I 2  I 3
 Each path receives
the total voltage
supplied by the
electrical source
 Each bulb receives
the same full voltage
V V1 V2 V3
The effective resistance
decreases when the
number of bulbs increases.
1 1 1 1
  
R R1 R2 R3
For example;
a) Two resistors R1 and R2 are connected in parallel in a circuit as shown in the
following diagram.

I1

R1 3

I2 R2 6

Based on the diagram, calculate the following.

i. Effective resistance, R
1 1 1
 
R R1 R2
1 1 1
 
R 3 6
1 1

R 2
2
R
1
R 2

ii. Voltage, V
V V1 V2 V3
Since the voltage of the cell is 6V, therefore , the voltage throughou t the
circuit is 6V.

iii. Current, I in the circuit

V IR
6V I (2)
6V
I
2
I 3 A
b) Two resistors are connected in a series circuit shown in the diagram below.
6V

R1 6 R2 20

V1 V2

Based on the above circuit,

i. Calculate the effective resistance, R
Effective resistance ,
R R1  R2
R 6  20
R 26

ii. Calculate the current, I

V IR
6V I (26)
6V
I
26
I 0.23 A

iii. Calculate the voltage V1 and V2

Voltage for V1
V1 IR
V1 0.23 A 6
V1 1.38V
Voltage for V2
V2 0.23 A 20
V2 4.6V