PHYS502/University Physics 2

Module 8 – Series and Parallel Circuits

Learning Outcomes:
At the end this module, students are expected to:

C5 – Analyze inputs and outputs based on given electric circuit diagrams.

C6 - Solve problems that require the application of circuits and electromagnetism.

Specifically

✓ Circuits in Series

✓ Circuits in Parallel

Resistors in Series

When current can follow only one path as it flows through two or more resistors connected
in line, the resistors are in series. In other words, when one and only one terminal of a
resistor is connected directly to one and only one terminal of another resistor, the two are
in series and the same current passes through both.

A node is a point where three or more current-carrying wires or branches meet. There
are no nodes between circuit elements (such as capacitors, resistors, and batteries) that
are connected on series.
The equivalent resistance of individual resistors connected on series is given by:

𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 + ⋯ + 𝑅𝑛

The equivalent resistance in series is always greater than the largest of the individual
resistances.
You will notice that the resistances in series combine like capacitance in parallel. It is
assumed that connection wire is effectively resistances.

In a series combination, the current passing through each resistance is the same as that
through all others.

𝐼 = 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 = ⋯ = 𝐼𝑛

The voltage or the potential drop in a series combination is equal to the sum of the
individual potential drops.

𝑉𝑇 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + ⋯ + 𝑉𝑛

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Resistors in Parallel

Several resistors can be connected in parallel between two nodes if one end of each
resistor is connected to one node and the other end of each is connected to the other
node. The equivalent resistance for resistors in parallel is:

1 1 1 1
= + + ⋯+
𝑅𝑒𝑞 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅𝑛

The equivalent resistance in parallel is always less than the smallest of the individual
resistances.

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Example 8.1 For the circuit below, calculate the current drawn from the battery.

Ans.
❖ Solve the equivalent resistance of the parallel 2-8 ohms resistance:

1 1 1 2 1
= + = = − − > 𝑅8−8 = 4Ω
𝑅8−8 8 8 8 4

❖ Solve the equivalent resistance of 6-ohm and R8-8

𝑅6−𝑅8−8 = 𝑅6 + 𝑅8−8 = 6Ω + 4Ω = 10Ω

❖ Solve the equivalent resistance of 10-ohm and R6-R88

1 1 1 1 1 2 1
= + = + = =
𝑅10−𝑅6−8−8 𝑅10 𝑅6−8−8 10 10 10 5

𝑅10−6−8−8 = 5Ω

❖ Finally, there only 3-resistors in series:

𝑹𝒆𝒒 = 𝟓𝛀 + 𝟏𝛀 + 𝟑𝛀 = 𝟗𝛀

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 ❖ Calculate the current drawn from the battery:

𝑉 9 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠
𝐼= = = 1𝐴
𝑅𝑒𝑞 9Ω

Example 8.2 Two 100 Ω light bulbs are connected (a) in series and (b) in parallel to a 24
V battery. What is the current through each bulb? For which circuit will the bulbs be
brighter?

Ans. R = 100 ohms V = 24 volts

❖ Connected in series

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 ❖ Connected in parallel

❖ To answer the second question, calculate the power produced from the
two circuits:

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 ❖ Comparing the power outputs:

References and Supplementary Materials

Books and Journals

1. Knight, R.D. (2017). Physics with Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers A
Strategic Approach. 4th Edition. USA: Pearson Educ. Inc.
2. Lloyd, D.H. (2014). Physics Laboratory Manual. 4th ed. Canada: Brooks/Cole
Cengage Learning. (Laboratory).

Online Supplementary Reading Materials

1. http://web.mst.edu/~vojtat/class_2135/lectures/lecture12/lecture12.pdf

Online Instructional Videos

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAtDAoqdExw