Series and Parallel

Circuits
Circuits
Can either be series
or parallel.
 Series
Current only takes
one path for electrons
Current flows through
every part of the
circuit
Lights in a Series
 Series
Ifyou add a resistor (like
another light):
Total resistance goes UP
since all the current has
must go through each
resistor.
Adding Resistors to Series:
Current in the circuit
will go DOWN (lights
will dim)
If you remove a light
bulb or one burns out
—all go out!
 Current in Series
Current is the same at
all points
Use Ohm’s Law to find
current using
resistance and voltage
Calculating Current
Example:
Voltage in Series
Voltage is
reduced by each
resistance –
voltage drop
Calculating Voltage
Example
 Resistance in Series
Add up all resistors to
get total
Totalresistance will go
up because all of the
current must go through
each resistor.
Calculating Resistance
Example:
 Sample Problem #1
 Draw a series circuit with two 1.5 V
batteries, 3 resistors, and a current
of 0.5 A.
1. What is the total voltage of the
circuit?
2. What is the resistance of each
resistor?
3. What is the voltage drop across
each resistor? Label on your circuit.
 Parallel Circuits
Has at least one point
where current divides
More than one path for
current to flow
Paths are also known as
branches
Lights in Parallel
 Parallel:
Ifyou add a resistor:
Total resistance goes
down
Total current goes up
when you add another
path
Removing a Light Bulb
If you remove a light
bulb or one burns out,
the others stay on
because the circuit is
still closed.
 Current in Parallel
Current flows into a
branching point, the
same total current must
flow out again
Current depends on
resistance in each branch
Calculating Current
Example:
Voltage in Parallel
Voltage is the
same across each
branch – because
each branch is on
the same wire
Calculating Voltage
Example:
Resistance in Parallel
Calculate current in
each branch based on
resistance in each
branch by using
Ohm’s Law
Calculating Resistance
Example:
 Practice problem #2
 Draw a parallel circuit with
two resistors (one on each
branch) and a 12 V battery.
1. What is the voltage through
each resistor?
2. What is the current flowing
through each branch?
Toll Road—Circuit Analogy
Toll Booth Explanation
 Adding toll booths in series
increases resistance and
slows the current flow.
 Adding toll booths in
parallel lowers resistance
and increases the current
flow.
Batteries in Series and
Parallel:
In series—The voltage
is increased.
In parallel—No
change in voltage;
these batteries will
last longer!
 One More FINAL Thing:
Two Types of Current:
DC—Direct Current—
produced by solar cells
and chemical cells
(batteries)
Current only flows in
one direction.
 2 type of current:
nd

AC—Alternating Current
Current flows back and
forth (alternates)
Found in homes
Generators produce AC
current