Starter: See – Think - Wonder

Objective
To describe how current and voltage behaves in
series and parallel circuits.

Success Criteria
•Describe circuits and current.
•Explain the concept of potential difference.
•Differentiate between series and parallel circuits.
 Key words

• Voltmeter
• Series circuit
• Parallel circuit
• Bulb
• Current
• Potential difference
 What is current?
• When you complete a circuit, charged particles move
in the metal wires
• The current is the amount of charge flow per second

How do we measure current

• We measure current using an ___________
• Current is measured in ________
 What is potential difference?
• The cell or battery provides a ‘push’ to make charge
(electrons) move.
• This ‘push’ is called potential difference (p.d.)

Potential difference – key

points
1. The potential difference on a cell
tells you the size of the ‘push’ on
the charges.
 Measuring potential difference
• Potential difference is measured using
__________.
• Unit of voltage is __________.
• The voltmeter must be placed in _______ to
the component being measured.
 Current in series circuits
• In a series circuit the current is same across each component.
• The ammeter readings on A1, A2 and A3 would be the same:

• If you add components to a series circuit the current would

decrease.
 Current in parallel circuits
• Remember parallel circuits have more than one branch.
• The current splits between branches

So if the current at A1 = 3A
What is the current at:
• A2 =
• A3 =
• A4 =
 The sum of the branches is the total
current.
 What about potential difference?
• In a series circuit, the potential difference is divided between each
component.
• So if we add up the potential difference at each component it will be equal that
of the battery
• In a parallel circuit the potential difference across each component is
the same.
• The same as the potential difference of the battery.

Series
Parallel
 Critical Thinking
Is multiplug adapter is connected in series or parallel?
AFL
 Success Criteria
I can:
•Describe circuits and current.
•Explain the concept of potential difference.
•Differentiate between series and parallel circuits.