Lecture Outline

Chapter 18

College Physics, 7th Edition

Wilson / Buffa / Lou

© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
Resistors in series all have the same current.
Individual voltages across the resistors add up
to equal the voltage across the battery
terminals.

© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
The resistance value of a single resistor that
could replace all resistors, but maintain the
same current is called: Equivalent Series
Resistance

This formula is valid for any number of

resistors in series.
Let’s do a simple example….
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18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
• 2 major disadvantages of Series
Connections:
– If one bulb burns out…
– Each bulb operates at less than the battery
voltage…
 18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
Resistors in parallel have common
connections (+ and +)
Resistors in parallel all have the same voltage.
Parallel circuits
divide into
different paths.

© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
The equivalent parallel resistance is the value
of a single resistor that could replace all the
resistors in the parallel configuration and
maintain the same current.

The equivalent resistance in a parallel

configuration is always less than the
smallest resistance….for example…

© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
• What is the equivalent resistance of 3 resistors
(1.0 ohm, 2.0 ohm, and 3.0 ohm) when
connected (a) in series and (b) in parallel.
• (c) How much total current will be delivered by a
12 V battery in each of these arrangements?
• (d) How much current will be in each resistor
and what is the voltage drop across each
resistor in each arrangement?
 18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
• Consider a string of Christmas
tree lights composed of bulbs
with jumper shunts. If the
filament of one bulb burns out
and the shunt completes the
circuit, will the other bulbs each

• (a) glow a little more brightly

• (b) glow a little more dimly
• (c) be unaffected
18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
• Here is a procedure to analyze Series-Parallel
Resistor Combinations
– Determine which groups of resistors are in series
and which are in parallel and then reduce. (You
may have to reduce multiple times)
– Find the current delivered to the reduced circuit
using I = V/Rtotal
– Expand the reduced circuit back to the actual
circuit to find currents and voltages for the
resistors in each step.
 18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
For combination circuits, simplify piece by piece.

© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
 18.1 Resistances in Series, Parallel,
and Series–Parallel Combinations
• What are the voltages
across and currents in
each of the resistors
R1 through R5 in the
figure to the right?
 18.2 Multiloop Circuits and
Kirchhoff’s Rules
Some circuits can’t always be reduced by pure
series and parallel methods.
A scientist named Kirchhoff made some
rules…

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 18.2 Multiloop Circuits and
Kirchhoff’s Rules
Kirchhoff’s first rule is the junction rule:
*First a junction (or node) is a point where 3
or more wires are joined.
*A path connecting 2 junctions is called a
branch.
The sum of all currents at any junction is 0.
This means that the current coming into the
junction must be equal to the current leaving
the junction.

© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 18.2 Multiloop Circuits and
Kirchhoff’s Rules
Kirchhoff’s second rule is
the loop rule:
The sum of the potential
differences around a
closed loop is zero.
Sign conventions for
traversing batteries and
resistors are at left.

© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

The electric potential V
increases from A to B and
decreases from C to D i.e.
V increases from – to +
plate of a battery, but
decreases as one moves
through a resistor in the
direction of the current.
 18.2 Multiloop Circuits and
Kirchhoff’s Rules
• Two resistors R1 (6 ) and
R2 (3 ) are connected in
parallel. This combination
is in series with a third
resistor, R3 (10 ), which
has the largest resistance
of the three.
• (a) Which resistor will
carry the most current: R1,
R2, or R3? V = 12 V.
Explain.
 To do

Find I1, I2 and I3

 18.4 Ammeters and Voltmeters
An ammeter measures current. In order to do
this, it must be connected in series; so as not
to change the existing current significantly, its
resistance should be as small as possible.

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 18.4 Ammeters and Voltmeters

A voltmeter measures
voltage. In order to do this,
it must be connected in
parallel across the voltage
to be measured; so as not
to change the existing
voltage significantly, its
resistance should be as
large as possible.

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 18.4 Ammeters and Voltmeters
Multirange meters have a selection of shunt
and multiplier resistors, to optimize the
measurement of currents and voltages of
different magnitudes.

© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

Household Circuits and Electrical
Safety

Household wiring
is done in parallel
and protected by
circuit breakers.
Household Circuits and Electrical
Safety
Fuses are designed so the
fuse strip melts and cuts
the circuit if the current
exceeds a predetermined
value. Fuses are rated for
different currents; the fuse
rating should always match
the maximum allowable
current in the circuit. When
a fuse burns out, it must be
replaced.
 Household Circuits and Electrical
Safety
Circuit breakers are used in most newer homes.
A bimetallic strip opens the circuit if the current
becomes too high; if a circuit breaker trips, it
can be reset.
 Household Circuits and Electrical
Safety
In order to provide needed protection, the fuse
or circuit breaker needs to be on the “hot” side
of the circuit.
 Household Circuits and Electrical
Safety
However, even on the hot side the fuse or breaker
may not protect the circuit. If an internal wire
touches the conductive casing of a tool or
appliance, you can still get a shock. This can be
avoided by using a
dedicated ground
line. You can tell
which devices
have such a line;
they have 3-prong
plugs.