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Chapter - Series and Parallel Circuits

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19 views

Chapter - Series and Parallel Circuits

Uploaded by

Amna Ghafoor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter: Series and Parallel Circuits

Introduction
Welcome back, young scientists! In our previous chapters, we’ve explored the
fascinating world of electricity, learning about conductors, insulators, and the flow of
electrons. Now, get ready to delve deeper into the world of circuits as we discover two
important types: series and parallel circuits.

What is a Series Circuit?


Imagine a string of holiday lights where all the bulbs are connected in a single line. This
is a great example of a series circuit. In a series circuit:
● Single Path: There’s only one path for the electric current to flow.
● Same Current: The current flowing through each component is the same.
● Voltage Adds Up: The total voltage of the circuit is the sum of the voltage across
each component.
● One Goes Out, All Go Out: If one bulb in a series circuit burns out or is removed,
the entire circuit is broken, and none of the bulbs will light up.

What is a Parallel Circuit?


Now, think about the wiring in your house. When you turn on a light in one room, the
lights in other rooms stay on. This is because most household circuits are parallel
circuits. In a parallel circuit:
● Multiple Paths: There are multiple paths for the electric current to flow.
● Voltage Across Each Component: Each component in a parallel circuit has the
different voltage across it.
● Voltage Remains the Same: The total voltage across the circuit remains the
same as the voltage of the power source.
● One Can Go Out, Others Stay On: If one component in a parallel circuit fails, the
other components continue to work as usual.
What is Voltage?
Voltage is a word that describes how strong the electric current is in a circuit. It is like
the push that makes the charges move in a wire or other conductor. The more voltage,
the more current.
Voltage is measured in units called volts, and you can use a tool called a voltmeter to
measure it.

Comparing Series and Parallel Circuits


Let’s compare series and parallel circuits using the example of holiday lights and
household wiring:
● Series Circuit (Holiday Lights): If one bulb goes out, the whole string of lights
goes out.
● Parallel Circuit (Household Wiring): If one light bulb goes out, the other lights
remain on.

Conclusion
Understanding series and parallel circuits is essential in the world of electricity. Series
circuits offer simplicity and uniformity of current, while parallel circuits provide
redundancy and resilience. As you continue to explore the wonders of electricity,
remember to always be safe and have fun experimenting with circuits!
Video Resource: https://youtu.be/-mmcku7KhDQ?si=1fSiVzS0r6jBiPw9

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