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Ch 9

Chapter 9 discusses the concepts of series and parallel circuits, explaining how components can be connected in each configuration. In series circuits, the current remains constant while voltage is divided among components, whereas in parallel circuits, the total current is the sum of the currents through each branch, and the voltage across each component is the same. The chapter also covers the behavior of resistors in both configurations, highlighting how adding resistors in parallel decreases overall resistance, while adding them in series increases it.

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5 views

Ch 9

Chapter 9 discusses the concepts of series and parallel circuits, explaining how components can be connected in each configuration. In series circuits, the current remains constant while voltage is divided among components, whereas in parallel circuits, the total current is the sum of the currents through each branch, and the voltage across each component is the same. The chapter also covers the behavior of resistors in both configurations, highlighting how adding resistors in parallel decreases overall resistance, while adding them in series increases it.

Uploaded by

rudrakshimathur2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 9 (electricity)

• Series & Parallel Circuits


• There are two ways of joining electrical components, in series and in
parallel
• Some circuits include both series and parallel parts
• A series circuit consists of a string of two or more components,
connected end to end:
• SERIES CIRCUIT
• 
Diagram showing two bulbs connected in series
• A parallel circuit consists of two or more components attached along
separate branches of the circuit

Diagram showing two bulbs connected in parallel

• In a series circuit:
• The current is the same at all points ie. through each component
• There is only one path for the current to flow (the current is same
around the circuit)
• The VOLTAGE is divided but the CURRENT remains the same
• The total potential difference of the power supply is shared between
the components
• The total resistance of two components is the sum of the resistance of
each component

Lamps connected in a series circuit
• In the above circuit:
• The current from the power supply is the same as the current in both
lamps I = I1 = I2
• If the battery is marked 12 V, then the potential difference would be
12 ÷ 2 = 6 V across each lamp
• If each lamp has a resistance of R, then the total resistance in the
circuit is equal to R + R = 2R
Parallel Circuits

• In a parallel circuit:
• The total current through the whole circuit is the sum of the currents
through the separate components
• There is more than one path for the current to flow
• The paths where the current flows are called BRANCHES
• The rule for parallel circuit : the current through the cell is equal
to the total of the current in all branches
• Current in each branch will be smaller than the current from the power
supply
• The potential difference across each component is the same
• The total resistance of two resistors is less than the resistance of
the smallest individual resistor.
• ADVANTAGES OF PARALLEL CIRCUITS
• The current through a branch can keep flowing ,even if the current
stops flowing in other branches
• Components In the same circuit can be switch on and off independently
• Both lamps have the same voltage across them
• If one lamp fails the other one will still work

Lamps connected in a parallel circuit
• In the above circuit:
• Because the current splits up, the sum of currents in each branch will
equal the current from the power supply I = I1 + I2
• If the battery is marked 12 V, then the potential difference would be
12 V across each lamp
• If each lamp has a resistance of R, then the total resistance in the
circuit will be less than 2R
• Note that the current does not always split equally – often there will
be more current in some branches than in others
• The current in each branch will only be identical if the resistance of
the components along each branch are identical
• Current behaves in this way because it is the flow of electrons:
• Electrons are physical matter – they cannot be created or destroyed
• This means the total number of electrons (and hence current) going
around a circuit must remain the same
• When the electrons reach a junction, however, some of them will go one
way and the rest will go the other

Resistors in Series
• When two or more resistors are connected in series, the total
resistance is equal to the sum of their individual resistances
• For two resistors of resistance R1 and R2, the total resistance can be
calculated using:

• Where R is the total resistance, in Ohms (Ω)
• Increasing the number of resistors increases the overall resistance, as
the charge now has more resistors to pass through


Resistors connected in series

Worked Example question

The combined resistance R in the following series circuit is 60 Ω.What is the


resistance value of R2?

A. 100 Ω
B. 30 Ω
C. 20 Ω
D. 40 Ω
Answer: C
Step 1: Write down the equation for the combined resistance in series
R = R1 + R2 + R3
Step 2: Substitute the values for total resistance R and the other resistors
60 Ω = 30 Ω + R2 + 10 Ω
Step 3: Rearrange for R2
R2 = 60 Ω – 30 Ω – 10 Ω = 20 Ω
Resistors in Parallel
• When two or more resistors are connected in parallel, the combined
resistance decreases
• In the below circuit, the combined resistance of the resistors R1 and
R2 is less than if they were connected in series

Resistors connected in parallel
• This happens because each resistor creates an extra path along which
the charge can flow
• This allows more charge to flow overall
• This leads to a smaller overall resistance
• The advantages of this kind of circuit are:
• The components can be individually controlled, using their own switches
• If one component stops working the others will continue to function
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Students often struggle to understand how adding resistors to a circuit can
actually reduce resistance.
Take a simple series circuit with just a cell, some wires, and a 5 Ω resistor. You
now want to add a 10 Ω resistor to that circuit. You have two options; you can add
the 10 Ω resistor in series to the 5 Ω resistor or in parallel to it.
If you add the 10 Ω resistor in series, then all of the electrons in the circuit
have to flow through both resistors. That's why the resistances add together. The
total resistance of the new circuit is 5 + 10 = 15 Ω.
If you add the 10 Ω resistor in parallel, then you are creating a new loop, which
is a new path for the electrons to flow through. They either flow through the 5 Ω
resistor or they flow through the 10 Ω resistor. Now, because of the extra loop,
that extra path for the electrons, there is actually more charge flowing around the
circuit than there was before that 10 Ω resistor was added. That means a higher
current, which means an overall smaller resistance than the original 5 Ω circuit.
A fundamental concept to understand about circuits is that when you change anything
in the circuit (current, p.d., resistance), then everything (current, p.d.,
resistance) changes as a result.

Comparing Series & Parallel Circuits


Current in Series & Parallel
• In a series circuit, the current is the same at all points
• In a parallel circuit, the current splits at junctions – some of it
going one way and the rest going the other

Diagram showing the behaviour of current in series and parallel circuits
Potential Difference in Series & Parallel
• In a series circuit, the voltage of the power supply is shared between
the components
• In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each component is the same


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