Chapter 16

D.C. Circuit
G9-Physics
A. Series Circuit
❏ In a series circuit, the components are connected one after another in a single
loop
❏ A series circuit has only one path through which electric charge can flow.
Current in a series circuit
Table shows two electric circuit in which resistors are arranged in series. Ammeters are
added to measure the currents at different points in the circuit.

Circuit Ammeter reading Conclusion

A single resistor R I1 = I2 The same current

flows into and out the
resistor R

Resistors R1 and R2 in series I1 = I2 = I3 The same current

flows through R1 and
R2
From table, we can see that the
current does not vary in a series
circuit.
Potential difference across a series circuit
❏ Table shows an electric circuit in which the resistors are arranged in series. It
is set up to measure the potential difference across each resistor, and that
across all the resistors in the circuit.

Circuit Voltmeter Conclusion

Reading

VE = V1 + V2 The p.d, VE across the whole circuit is

equal to the sum of the p.d. Across R1
and R2.

E = VE The e.m.f, E of the electrical source is

equal to VC.

For resistors placed in series, the p.d, VE across the

whole circuit is VE = V1 + V2 + V3 +...+VN
❏ In a series circuit, the sum of the p.d. Across each component is equal to the
p.d. Across the whole circuit.

Resistance in a series circuit

R1 R2 R

V1 V2
V3
V3

❏ The current I that flows through R1 and R2 is
the same because they are connected in
series.
❏ Since V = I. R, V1 = I. R1, V2 = I. R2
❏ V3 = V1 + V2
❏ I. R = I. R1 + I. R2 = I (R1 + R2)
❏ R = R1 + R2
❏ The resistor R1 and R2 can be replaced by a
single resistor R with a resistance R.
❏ The resistor R has the p.d., V3 across it and
the current I flowing through it.
❏ V3/I= R
❏ For n resistors placed in series, the effective
resistance R is given by
❏ R = R1 + R2 +...+ RN
Bible verse:
Genesis 1:1

In the beginning, God created the heavens

and the earth.

Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were created, in heaven
and on earth, visible and invisible, whether
thrones or dominions or rulers or
authorities—all things were created through him and for
him.
Question-1
Figure below shows three resistors of value 2 Ω, 4 Ω and 6 Ω connected in series
to a 6 V dry cell.

(a) What is the effective resistance of the three resistors?

(b) What is the current measured by (i) ammeter A1, (ii) ammeter A2?
(c) Calculate the p.d. Across each resistor.

6V
A2

2Ω A1 4Ω 6Ω
Answer
Figure below shows three resistors of value 2 Ω, 4 Ω and 6 Ω connected in series
to a 6 V dry cell.
(a) R = R1 + R2 + R3 = 2 + 4 + 6 = 12 Ω
(b) V = I. R ; I = V/I = 6 V/12 Ω = 0.5 A ; A1 = 0.5 A, A2 = 0.5 A
(c) V 2Ω = I. R = 0.5 A. 2 Ω = 1 V ; V 4Ω = I.R = 0.5 A. 4 Ω = 2 V ; V6Ω = 0.5 A.
6Ω = 3 V

6V
A2

2Ω A1 4Ω 6Ω
B. Parallel Circuits

❏ In a parallel circuit, the components are connected to the

e.m.f. Source in two or more loops.
❏ A parallel circuit has more than one path through which
electric charge can flow.
 Circuit Ammeter Conclusion
reading

Resistor R1 and R2 in parallel I = I1 +I2 ❏ The current I

flowing from
E the cell splits
I at junction x
I into I1 and I2.
A ❏ Currents I1
I1 and I2 will
A1 R1
recombine into
I at junction y.
X Y Current in a Parallel Circuit
❏ Ammeter are added to measure
A1 R2 the current at different points in
I2 the circuit.
❏ For n branches in parallel, the main current I is given by

I = I1 + I2 + …+ In

❏ In a parallel circuit, the sum of the individual current in each of the parallel
branches is equal to the main current flowing into or out of the parallel
branches.

❏ Is the current the same at

different point of a (a)
series circuit ; (b) parallel
circuit? Explain your
answer.
Potential difference across a parallel circuit
Circuit Voltmeter Conclusion
❏ Resistors R1 and R2 in Parallel reading

❏ VE= V1 ❏ The p.d, VE

=V2 across the whole
circuit is equal to
the p.d. Across
each resistor R1
and R2.
V1 R1 R2 V2 ❏ E = VE ❏ The e.m.f, E of
VE the electrical
source is equal to
VE.

In a parallel circuit, the p.d. Across

separate parallel branches is equal
to VE.
Resistance in a parallel circuit
R1 I
I I1 R
I I
I2 V
R2
V
Equivalent resistor

❏ The current I is split into I1 and I2 ❏ The resistor R1 and R2 can be

because R1 and R2 are connected in
parallel.
❏ Since I = V/R ; I1 = V/R1 ; I2 = V/R2
❏ I = I1 + I2
❏ V/R = V/R1 + V / R2
❏ 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2
replaced by a single resistor R with a
resistance R.
❏ The resistor R has the p.d. V across it
and the current I flowing through it.
❏ I = V/R
For n resistor in parallel:
1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 +...+1/Rn
Bible verse

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many
parts, but all its many parts form one body, so
it is with Christ.
Example #1
The figure shows three resistors of values 1 Ω,
6V 3Ω and 6 Ω connected in parallel to a 6 V dry
cell.
(a) What is the effective resistance of the
A1 three resistors?
(b) What is the p.d. Across each resistor?
1Ω (c) What is the current measured by
A2 ammeter A1, A2, and A3?

3Ω

A3

6Ω
Example #2
The figure shows a 5V cell connected to two
5V resistor in parallel. The current flowing through
resistor R is 0.2 A. Calculate the
(a) Resistance of the resistor R;
(b) Currents I1 and I2;
(c) Effective resistance of resistor R and 50 Ω
I1 resistor;
I2 (d) Effective resistance of resistor R and the 50 Ω
50 Ω resistor if they are arrange in series instead.

0.2 A
R