Series and Parallel

Circuits
Circuits
caneither be series
or parallel.
 Series
Current only takes
one path for electrons
Current flows through
every part of the
circuit
Lights in a Series
 Series
Ifyou add a resistor (like
another light):
Total resistance goes UP
since all the current has
must go through each
resistor.
Adding Resistors to
Series:
Current in the circuit
will go DOWN (lights
will dim)
If you remove a light
bulb or one burns out
—all go out!
 Current in Series
Current is the same at
all points
Use Ohm’s Law to find
current using
resistance and voltage
Calculating Current
IT=constant

IT=I1=I2=I3=I...
Voltage in Series
Voltage is
reduced by each
resistance –
voltage drop
Calculating Voltage
V=IR

V1=I1R1

V2=I2R2

V3=I3R3
 Resistance in Series
Add up all resistors to
get total
Totalresistance will go
up because all of the
current must go through
each resistor.
Calculating
Resistance

RT=R1+R2+R3+...
Sample Problem
 Consider three resistors 3Ω, 5Ω,
and 10Ω connected in series to a
20-volt line.
1. What is the total resistance in the
circuit?
2. What is the total current?
3. What is the individual current?
4. What is the voltage across each
resistor?
 Parallel Circuits
Has at least one point
where current divides
More than one path for
current to flow
Paths are also known as
branches
Lights in Parallel
 Parallel:
Ifyou add a resistor:
Total resistance goes
down
Total current goes up
when you add another
path
Removing a Light
Bulb
If you remove a light
bulb or one burns out,
the others stay on
because the circuit is
still closed.
 Current in Parallel
Current flows into a
branching point, the
same total current must
flow out again
Current depends on
resistance in each branch
Calculating Current
 I1=V/R1

 I2=V/R2

 I3=V/R3

 IT=V/RT
Voltage in Parallel
Voltage is the
same across each
branch – because
each branch is on
the same wire
Calculating Voltage

V=V1=V2=V3=V....
Resistance in Parallel
Calculate current in
each branch based on
resistance in each
branch by using
Ohm’s Law
Calculating
Resistance

 1/RT=1/R1+1/R2+1/R3+1/R....
Sample Problem
 Three resistors, 3 Ω, 6 Ω, 9 Ω are
connected in parallel to a 6.0-volt
battery. If the current in the
circuit is 4A, find the following:
1. total resistance
2. individual current
3. Total voltage
 BIG IDEAS!
In series—The voltage
is increased.
In parallel—No
change in voltage;
these batteries will
last longer!
 Seatwork:
 A 3 Ω resistor is connected in parallel
with 6 Ω and 15 Ω resistor, with a 50
V across the combination.
 Find (A) The voltage across each
resistor, (B) current passing through
each resistor, and (C) total current
passing through the combination (D)
total resistance of the circuit.
 Consider three resistors 2Ω,
4Ω, and 6Ω connected in
series to a 15-volt line.
1. What is the total resistance in
the circuit?
2. What is the total current?
3. What is the individual
current?
4. What is the voltage across
each resistor?