PHYC 1320:

Physics in and around you

Chapter 22/23
Current and Circuits

Game ID: 979 4463

Chapters 22 and 23 PHYC 1320 Slide 1
Current and Circuits Series and Parallel Circuits

Chapters 22 and 23 PHYC 1320 Slide 2

Circuits Key Concepts
Series Circuit:
• elements of a circuit are connected directly to each other with no
junction between
• same amount of current will run through each resistor (as
per conservation of charge)

Parallel Circuit
• two elements are connected to each other at both ends
• the same potential difference across each resistor

Chapters 22 and 23 PHYC 1320 Slide 3

Circuits Key Concepts
Assessing Voltage Change in a Circuit:

• Voltage increases across a

battery based on 𝜀

• Voltage decreases across a

resistor in direction of current
flow

• “Voltage drop” is proportional to

the resistance (Ohm’s Law)

• Sum of all voltage drops is equal

to sum all voltage increases

Chapters 22 and 23 PHYC 1320 Slide 4

Circuits Key Equations
Kirchoff’s Junction Law
" 𝐼!" = " 𝐼#$%

Kirchoff’s Loop Law

∆𝑉&##' = " ∆𝑉! = 0
!

Using Kirchoff’s Loop Law:

1. Draw a circuit diagram
2. Assign a direction of current
flow to the circuit
3. “Travel” around the loop
4. Apply the loop law

Chapters 22 and 23 PHYC 1320 Slide 5

Current and Circuits Example 2
A string of Christmas-tree minilights consists of 50 bulbs
wired in series. What is the potential difference across each bulb when
the string is plugged into a 120 V outlet?

Chapters 22 and 23 PHYC 1320 Slide 6

Current and Circuits Key Equations

Equivalent Resistance (Series Circuit)

𝑅() = 𝑅* + 𝑅+ + ⋯ + 𝑅,

Equivalent Resistance (Parallel Circuit)

1 1 1 1
= + + ⋯+
𝑅() 𝑅* 𝑅+ 𝑅,

Chapters 22 and 23 PHYC 1320 Slide 7

Current and Circuits Problem Solving
Problem Solving Strategy
1. Draw a circuit diagram
• Label all known and unknown quantities.
2. Reduce the circuit to the smallest number of equivalent resistors
3. Determine current through and voltage across each equivalent
resistor
• Use Kirchoff’s law for these calculations
• The current is the same through all resistor in series
• The potential difference is the same across all parallel
resistors
4. Solve for unknowns in the resultant equations

Chapters 22 and 23 PHYC 1320 Slide 8

Current and Circuits Example 3
a) What is the current supplied by the battery in the following circuit?
b) What is the current through each resistor in the circuit?
c) What is the potential difference across each resistor?

Problem Solving Strategy

1.Draw a circuit diagram
•Label all known and unknown quantities.
2.Reduce the circuit to the smallest number of equivalent resistors
3.Determine current through and voltage across each equivalent resistor
•Use Kirchoff’s law for these calculations
•The current is the same through all resistor in series
•The potential difference is the same across all parallel resistors
4.Solve for unknowns in the resultant equations
Chapters 22 and 23 PHYC 1320 Slide 9
Chapters 22 and 23 PHYC 1320 Slide 10