Resistors in Parallel

Introduction

 When resistors are connected such that they branch out from a single point and
join up again in the circuit. This is known as a parallel connection.
 The three resistors in the figure given below shows that the path for current to flow
through the circuit can be in three different routes.

 p.d. in parallel circuit: The potential difference in the circuit across each resistor
is the same.
 Current in parallel circuit: The current flowing through each resistor is not the
same. It splits as it travels from the circuit.
 Total current in parallel circuit: The total current flowing through the circuit can
be calculated by adding the values of current flowing through each resistor.
 Application of parallel circuits connection: Parallel circuits are preferred in
household electric distribution. This is because the loss of current can be
monitored and the short circuit can be avoided. The different devices need
different voltage to function. For e.g. refrigerator, television and lamp have
different voltage requirement. If they are connected in the series then the huge
amount of current required by the refrigerator will flow through the other two
 devices and can damage them. To overcome such a situation the parallel circuit is
preferred.

Science lab manual Experiment – 3

Aim
To determine the equivalent resistance of two resistors when connected in parallel.
Theory

 When the resistors are connected in parallel with a combination of cells or battery,
in such case the total current I, is equal to the sum of the separate value of current
through each branch of the combination.
i.e., I=I1+I2+I3+…..

 In the above circuit let R be the equivalent resistance of the parallel combination
of resistors.
∴ By applying Ohm’s law we have
I=V/Rp …(1)

 On applying Ohm’s law to each resistor we get

When resistors are connected in parallel combination the total resistance is

reciprocal sum of the individual resistances.
i.e., 1/Rp = (1/R1) + (1/R2)
 Current is constant in series circuit. Hence, we cannot connect bulb and room
heater in series because their current requirement is different.
  Hence such devices are connected in parallel so that the current is divided
through the different electrical gadgets.
 The total current is always decreased when resistors are connected in parallel.
 When the resistors are connected in parallel then the equivalent resistance of the
parallel combination of the resistors is always low.

Materials Required
A battery, a plug key, connecting wires, an ammeter, a voltmeter, rheostat, a piece of
sand paper and two resistors of different value.

Procedure

1. Keep the key off and make all the connections as shown in the given figure I.
2. When the circuit is connected appropriately insert the key.
3. Note three readings of ammeter and voltmeter for the resistors R 1 and
R2 separately.
4. Now connect the circuit as shown in figure II below.
5. The resistors are connected in parallel and voltmeter is also connected in parallel.
6. Use the rheostat and record three different readings of ammeter and voltmeter.
7. Remove the key.
8. Do the calculations from the observation table.

Circuit Diagrams

Observation Table

Voltmeter Ammeter Mean Value of

Resistor No. of R=V/I
Reading in Reading in Resistance
Used Observations (in Ohm)
Volts (V) Ampere (I) (Ohm)

R1 (a) 0.01 0.01 1 R1 = 1 Ohm

(Ist Resistor) (b) 0.02 0.02 1
(c) 0.04 0.04 1
 R2 (a) 0.02 0.01 2 R2 = 2 Ohm
(2nd Resistor) (b) 0.06 0.03 2
(c) 0.08 0.04 2
1/Rp= (1/R1)+ (1/R2) (a) 0.026 0.04 0.67 Rp = 0.67 Ohm
(ParallelCombination) 1/Rp =1.5 Ohm

Result

1. The calculated value of 1/Rp = (1/R1) + (1/R2) = 1.5 Ω

2. The experimental value of 1/Rp = 1.5 Ω
3. The equivalent resistance (Rp) is less than the individual resistance (R1 or R2)

Precautions

1. The connecting wires should be thick copper wires and the insulation of their ends
should be removed using the sand paper.
2. Connections should be tight otherwise some external resistance may introduce in
the circuit.
3. Connections should be made as per the circuit.
4. The ammeter should be connected in series with the resistor such that the current
enters at the positive terminal and leaves at the negative terminal of the ammeter.
5. Voltmeter should always be connected in parallel to resistor.
6. Calculate the least count of voltmeter and ammeter correctly.
7. The pointers of the ammeter and voltmeter should be at zero mark when no
current flows through the circuit.
8. Current should be passed through the circuit for a short time while taking
observations; otherwise current would cause unnecessary heating in the circuit.
Heating may change the resistance of resistors.

Lab Manual Science Viva Voce

Question 1:
When resistors are combined in parallel what would be total resistance?
Answer:
On combination of resistors in parallel the total resistance will be less.

Question 2:
When the resistors are connected in parallel what remains constant in the circuit,
current I or potential difference V?
Answer:
When resistors are in parallel, potential difference (V) remains constant and not the
current (I).
Question 3:
An electrician has to do wiring and gives circuit connections to all the rooms in a house.
What type of connections will he do?
Answer:
The connections of all the circuits will be parallel.

Question 4:
Name the physical quantity which remains constant in parallel connection.
Answer:
Voltage remains unchanged when circuit has parallel connection.

Science lab manual Activities Practical Based Questions

Question 1:
How will you calculate the equivalent resistance when three resistors are connected in
parallel?
Answer:
Total resistance Rp can be calculated using the following formula:

Question 2:
If two resistors are connected in parallel and their equivalent resistance is 2 ohm .What
would be the value of each resistor if both have same value?
Answer:

Question 3:
Three resistors of 5 Ω, 2 Ω and 3 Ω are connected in parallel. What will be the total
resistance?
Answer:
The total resistance of three resistors of 5 Ω, 2 Ω and 3 Ω when connected in parallel is
given by
Question 4:
Three resistances of 3 Ω each are connected in parallel. What will be the total
resistance?
Answer:
R1= 3 Ω, R2 = 3 Ω and R3 = 3 Ω

Question 5:
Three resistors of 1 Ω , 2 Ω and 3 Ω are connected in parallel, with potential difference
of 2 V. What amount of current is drawn in the circuit?
Answer:
Three resistors are connected in parallel

Question 6:
How is the fuse wire in household connected?
Answer:
A fuse wire in household is connected in series.

Science Practicals Lab Manual Questions

Question 1:
If two resistors having resistances of 3 Ω, and 6 Ω, respectively are connected in
parallel, what will be the net resistance in the circuit?
Answer:
The net resistance when the resistors are connected in parallel:

Question 2:
Two resistors having resistances of 4 Ω and 6 Ω, respectively are connected in a circuit.
It was found that the total resistance in the circuit is less than 4 Ω. In what way the
resistances would have been connected?
Answer:
The two resistors are connected in parallel because the overall resistance is less.

Question 3:
Two resistors are connected in series and then in parallel. What effect will it have on the
readings of voltmeter and ammeter?
Answer:
In series connection, the ammeter reading will remain the same but the voltmeter
reading will decrease. But in parallel connection, the voltmeter reading will remain the
same and the ammeter reading will be different.

Question 4:
In what way household appliances should be connected?
Answer:
The household appliances should be connected in parallel to get equal voltage for each

Physics Lab Manual Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Questions based on Procedural and Manipulative Skills
Question 1:
In our house circuit the electrical appliances are connected in:
(a) parallel
(b) series
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) depends on power of device.
Answer:
(a)
Explanation:
To prevent the damage of appliances.
Question 2:
A circuit contains battery, 2 resistors of different value, ammeter and voltmeter. When
resistors are connected in series and then in parallel, the device that will show same
value in both the cases is:
(a) ammeter (b) voltmeter
(c) both (a) and (b) (d) none of these.
Answer:
(d)
Explanation:
The current changes in parallel and voltage changes in series.

Question 3:
The physical quantity that remains unchanged in parallel combination is:
(a) voltage (b) current
(c) resistance (d) none of these.
Answer:
(a)
Explanation:
Voltage is same in parallel circuit.

Questions based on Observational Skills

Question 4:
In the circuit diagram, name the resistors which are in parallel connection.

(a) R1 and R2 (b) R2 and R3

(c) R1 and R3 (d) R1 ,R2 with R3
Answer:
(b)
Explanation:
The current will be different but the voltage will be the same across R2 and R3.

Question 5:
The voltmeter, ammeter and resistance in the circuit shown below have been checked
to be correct. On plugging the key, the ammeter reads 0.9 A, but the voltmeter reads
zero. This could be because.
(a) The range of the voltmeter is more than twice the battery voltage.
(b) The least count of the voltmeter is too high.
(c) The wires joined to the voltmeter terminals are loose.
(d) The voltmeter is incorrectly placed in the circuit.
Answer:
(c)
Explanation:
The circuit components are rightly arranged but if wires are loosely connected, the
problem arises.

Question 6:
In parallel combination of resistors, two students connected the ammeter in two different
ways as shown in given circuits I and II. The ammeter has been correctly connected in:

(a) circuit I only

(b) circuit II only
(c) both the circuits I and II
(d) neither of the two circuits.
Answer:
(c)
Explanation:
Ammeter is rightly connected in both the circuits and terminals are correct.

Question 7:
Two students are using two circuits shown below.
They are doing experiment to find the equivalent resistance of a:
(a) Series combination and parallel combination respectively of the two given resistors.
(b) Parallel combination and a series combination respectively of the two given
resistors.
(c) Series combination of the two given resistors in both the cases.
(d) Parallel combination of the two given resistors in both the cases.
Answer:
(a)
Explanation:
Given resistors are in series and parallel combinations respectively.

Question 8:
To determine the equivalent resistance of three resistors, when connected in a parallel
arrangement four students connected the resistors as follows:

(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D.

Answer:
(b)
Explanation:
As per the arrangement, all the three resistors are connected in parallel.

Question 9:
Two students set up their circuits for finding the equivalent resistance of two resistors
connected in parallel in two different ways as shown.
The circuit(s) likely to be labelled as correct:
(a) are neither of the two circuits
(b) is only circuit I
(c) is only circuit II
(d) are both the circuits.
Answer:
(b)
Explanation:
In circuit II, the resistors are connected in series and not in parallel.

Question 10:
The only correct statement for the two circuits (X) and (Y) shown below is:

(a) The resistors R1 and R2 have been connected in series in both the circuits.
(b) The resistors R1 and R2 have been connected in parallel in both the circuits.
(c) In the circuit (X) the resistors have been connected in parallel, whereas these are
connected in series in circuit (Y)
(d) In the circuit (X) the resistors R1 and R2 are connected in series while these are
connected in parallel in circuit (Y).
Answer:
(b)
Explanation:
The series and parallel arrangements can be clearly identified from the figures.

Question 11:
In their experiment, on finding the equivalent resistance of two resistors, connected in
parallel, three students connected the voltmeter in their circuits, in three ways X, Y, Z
shown below:
The voltmeter has been incorrectly connected in
(a) case X only (b) case Y only
(c) case Z only (d) All the three cases.
Answer:
(c)
Explanation:
In circuit Z, voltmeter is connected in series with ammeter.

Question 12:
The correct set-up for determining the equivalent resistance of two resistors R 1 and
R2 when connected in parallel is:

(a) I (b) II (c) III (d) IV.

Answer:
(b)
Explanation:
Ammeter is connected in series and voltmeter in parallel.

Question 13:
The resistors R1 and R2 are connected in circuits A and B.
R1 and R2 are connected in:
(a) parallel in both circuits
(b) series in both circuits
(c) parallel in A and in series in B
(d) series in A and in parallel in B.
Answer:
(c)
Explanation:
Given value resistors are connected in parallel in circuit A and in series in circuit B.

Question 14:
Two resistances R1 and R2 are connected in parallel combination in:

The correct combination is shown in fig.

(a) A only (b) A and B
(c) C only (d) A and C.
Answer:
(d)
Explanation:
In circuit B, the resistors are connected in series.

Question 15:
Two resistors R1 and R2 are connected in series combination in:

(a) A only (b) B only

(c) A and B (d) B and C.
Answer:
(d)
Explanation:
In circuit A, they are connected in parallel.

Question 16:
Which of the circuit components are connected in parallel in the given circuit diagram?

(a) key and ammeter

(b) ammeter and voltmeter
(c) voltmeter and resistor
(d) ammeter and resistor
Answer:
(c)
Explanation:
As per the circuit voltmeter V and resistor R are connected in parallel.

Question 17:
In the given circuit:

(a) R1 and V are parallel

(b) R1 and R2 are parallel
(c) R1 , R2 and V are parallel
(d) R2 and V are parallel
Answer:
(c)
Explanation:
R1 , R2 and voltmeter V are connected in parallel as per the given figure.

Questions based on Reporting and Interpretation Skills

Question 18:
Three resistors of value 3 Ω are connected in parallel, the total resistance would be:
(a) 3 Ω (b) 9Ω (c) 6 Ω (d) 1 Ω.
Answer:
(d)
Explanation:

Question 19:
Four resistors are connected in parallel. Each has a resistance 2 Ω. The effective
resistance is:

(a) 8 Ω (b) 0.5 Ω (c) 4 Ω (d) 0.25 Ω.

Answer:
(b)
Explanation:

Question 20:
In the circuit below the voltmeter and ammeter readings would be respectively:

(a) 0 V and 0 A each (b) 3 V and 1 A

(c) I V and 3 A (d) 3 V and 3 A.
Answer:
(b)
Explanation:

Question 21:
For the circuits A and B shown below the voltmeter readings would be:

(a) 0.6 V in circuit A and 2.5 in B

(b) 0 V in both circuits
(c) 3 V in both circuits
(d) 0 V in circuit A and 3 V in circuit B
Answer:
(d)
Explanation:
In circuit A, the key is open and in circuit B, the voltmeter V will show 3V reading.

Question 22:
The voltmeter, ammeter and the two resistors in the circuit have been checked and
found correct. On inserting the key in the plug the voltmeter reads 3.0 V but the
ammeter reads 150 mA. This could most likely be because the connecting wires joining
the

(a) ammeter are loose

(b) 15 Ω resistor are loose
(c) 20 Ω resistor are loose
(d) voltmeter are loose.
Answer:
(b)
Explanation:
The 15 ohm resistor is in parallel connection and with loose connections, the current
may not flow through it.

Question 23:
For carrying out the experiment, on finding the equivalent resistance of two resistors
connected in series, a student sets up the circuit as shown. On further verification he
finds out that the circuit has one or more of the following faults:

(i) The resistors R1 and R2 have not been correctly connected in series.
(ii) The voltmeter has not been correctly connected in the circuit.
(iii) The ammeter has not been correctly connected in the circuit
Out of these three, the actual fault in the circuit is are:
(a) both (ii) and (iii)
(b) both (i) and (ii)
(c) only (i)
(d) only (ii).
Answer:
(a)
Explanation:
Voltmeter is in series and ammeter is in parallel, their positions should be interchanged.

Question 24:
Four resistors of 4 Ω each are connected in parallel. The resultant resistance will be:
(a) 4 Ω (b) 16 Ω (c) 64 Ω (d) 1 Ω.
Answer:
(d)
Explanation:

Question 25:
Two resistors of 2 Ω and 4 Ω each are connected in parallel, the net resistance in the
circuit will be:
(a) 6 Ω (b) 2 Ω (c) 1.3 Ω (d) 1 Ω.
Answer:
(c)
Explanation:

Question 26:
Two resistors of 3 Ω , and 6 Ω are connected in parallel, the net resistance in the circuit
will be:
(a) 2 Ω (b) 9 Ω (c) 6 Ω (d) I Ω.
Answer:
(a)
Explanation:

Question 27:
Two resistance of 5 Ω and 10 Ω were connected in a circuit. The total resistance in the
circuit obtained was less than 5 Ω. The resistors are connected in:
(a) series (b) parallel
(c) both (a) and (b) (d) can’t say.
Answer:
(b)
Explanation:
When resistors are connected in parallel, the resultant resistance is less.

Question 28:
The following apparatus in a laboratory.
Cell: adjustable from 0 to 1.5 Ω
Resistor: 4 Ω and 12 Ω
Ammeter: A1 of Range 0 to 3 A: Least Count 0.1 A
A2 of Range 0 to 1 A: Least Count 0.05 A
Voltmeters: V1 of Range 0 to 10 V: Least Count 0.5 V
V2 of Range 0 to 5 V : Least Count 0.1 V
The best combination of voltmeter and ammeter for finding the equivalent resistance of
the resistors in parallel would be
(a) ammeter A1 and voltmeter V1.
(b) ammeter A1 and voltmeter V2.
(c) ammeter A2 and voltmeter V1.
(d) ammeter A2 and voltmeter V2.
Answer:
(d)
Explanation:
The overall range of voltage is from 0 to 1.5 V and that of current is from 0 to 1.5/3 A =
0.5 A. We therefore prefer, instruments that cover these ranges and also have a better
least count.