Series and parallel
Practice Flashcards
Flip to reveal answersState the four series and parallel rules.
Track your progress — Sign up free to save your progress and get smart review reminders based on spaced repetition.
All 4 Flashcards — Series and parallel
Sign up free to track progress and get spaced-repetition review schedules.
Question
State the four series and parallel rules.
Answer
Resistors: R = R₁ + R₂ in series, 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ in parallel. Capacitors: C = C₁ + C₂ in parallel, 1/C = 1/C₁ + 1/C₂ in series.
Question
What is the check for a parallel resistance?
Answer
It must be smaller than the smallest resistor in the combination. An answer larger than both means the wrong rule was used.
Question
State the voltage divider equation.
Answer
V_out = V_supply × R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂), with R₂ the lower resistor. 9 V across 10 kΩ and 5 kΩ gives 3 V.
Question
Why are divider resistors usually tens of kilohms?
Answer
Much smaller wastes current and heats the board; much larger makes the junction a high impedance that the next stage loads and that picks up interference.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Series and parallel
Topic 7.4 hub
Electronic systems applied
More from Topic 7.4
All flashcards in this topic
Design Technology exam skills
Paper structures & tips
Track your progress with spaced repetition
Sign up free — Aimnova tells you exactly which cards to review and when, so you remember everything before your IB exam.
Start Free