Circuit Q&A

What type of Circuit is

this?

A. Simple
B. Series
C. Parallel
D. Complex

In a series circuit there is

A. Only one voltage
B. Only one path
for current
C. Multiple
voltages
D.Multiple paths
for current

What type of Circuit is

this?

A. Simple
B. Series
C. Parallel
D.Complex

What type of Circuit is

this?

A. Simple
B. Series
C. Parallel
D.Complex

In a parallel circuit there

is
A. Only one power
B. Only one path
for current
C. Multiple
voltages
D.Multiple paths
for current

Series Circuits
Have ONE path for
current
And therefor only has
ONE current
Resistors add simply:
Rt = R1 + R2 +
The electric potential
(voltage) drops
through each resistor
and is zero by the
time it completes the
loop.

To solve:
1. Add up the resistors to
find the equivalent
resistance.
2. Find the one current by
dividing the total voltage
by this resistance.
3. Use the one current to
find the voltage drop
across each resistor.
What is the current in a
120V circuit with a 20 ohm
resistor in series with a 40
ohm resistor? Draw the
circuit!

Parallel Circuits
Have multiple paths
for current
And therefor multiple
currents but one
voltage
Resistors add
inversely:
1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2 +

The total current is

the sum of branch
currents

To solve:
1. Find the current through
each branch
2. Add the currents to find
the total this can be
used to find the total
resistance.
3. Check by adding
resistors using the
inverse law
A 3 ohm, 4ohm and 5 ohm
resistor is connected in
parallel with a 9v battery.
What is total current?

Lab

1. Make a circuit with two batteries connected in series (+ to

-), a switch and a 20 ohm resistor.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Measure the voltage across one battery and record.

Measure the voltage across two batteries and record.
How do they compare?
Measure the voltage drop across the 20 ohm resistor.
How does this compare to #2 and #3?

2. Replace the 20 ohm resistor with a10 ohm resistor and two
5 ohm resistors.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Measure the voltage across the 10 ohm resistor and record.

How does this compare to the 20 ohm resistor?
Measure the voltage across a 5 ohm resistor.
How does this compare to the 20 ohm resistor?
Measure the voltage across all three resistors.
How does this compare to the numeric sum of the resistors?
How does this compare to the 20 ohm resistor?
How does this compare to the voltage of the 2 batteries?

3. Find the current in the circuit check by opening the

switch and placing the ammeter thru the switch.
4. Repeat #2 for a parallel circuit

Ohms Law
Voltage is the
electric potential
difference it is the
PUSH
Measured in Volts
1V = 1J/1C

Resistance is the resistance

to flow of charge.
Measured in Ohms
Depends on material, cross-sectional area,
length and temperature

V = IR

Current is the flow of charge in the

direction of + charge (even though it is
electrons that actually flow!!
Measured in Amperes or Amps
1A = 1C/1s

Power and energy

P = VI
Power is the
rate at which
energy is
converted for
work.
J/C x C/s = J/s
W

P = E/t so E
= Pt
So
Watts x seconds
= J/s x s =
Joules
=