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All 12 Flashcards — Series and parallel circuits
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Question
What is a series connection?
Answer
Components joined in **one single loop**, end to end — only **one path** for the charge.
Question
What is a parallel connection?
Answer
Components joined **side by side** on separate branches — the charge has a **choice of paths**.
Question
In a series circuit, what is the same through every component?
Answer
The **current** — one loop means one current everywhere.
Question
In a parallel circuit, what is the same across every branch?
Answer
The **potential difference (voltage)** — every branch sits across the same two points.
Question
How do resistors combine in series?
Answer
They **add**: $R_s = R_1 + R_2 + \ldots$ — **given** in the data booklet. Total is bigger than any one.
Question
How do resistors combine in parallel?
Answer
Add the reciprocals then flip: $\dfrac{1}{R_p} = \dfrac{1}{R_1} + \dfrac{1}{R_2} + \ldots$ — **given**. Total is smaller than any one.
Question
Two equal resistors R in parallel give a total of…
Answer
**R ÷ 2** (half of one). N equal resistors in parallel give R ÷ N.
Question
In a series circuit, how is the supply p.d. shared?
Answer
It **splits** between the resistors **in proportion to their resistance**; the separate p.d.s add up to the supply.
Question
In a parallel circuit, how is the current shared?
Answer
It **splits** between the branches; the **smaller** resistance carries the **larger** current. The branch currents add up to the total.
Question
How do you find the current drawn from the cell in any network?
Answer
**Combine** the resistors into one equivalent R, then use **I = V/R**.
Question
Most common parallel-circuit mistake?
Answer
Forgetting to **flip** 1/R_p back to R_p — or just adding the values as if in series.
Question
Adding a resistor in parallel does what to the total resistance?
Answer
**Lowers** it — an extra path makes it easier for charge to flow.
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