Series and Parallel Circuits

Front

What is a Series Circuit?

Back

A series circuit is a type of electrical circuit where the components are connected end-to-end, so that the current flows through each component in turn. If one component fails, the entire circuit is broken.

Front

What is a Parallel Circuit?

Back

A parallel circuit is a type of electrical circuit where the components are connected across common points or junctions, providing multiple paths for the current to flow. If one component fails, the others can still operate.

Front

What happens to the total resistance in a Series Circuit when more resistors are added?

Back

In a series circuit, the total resistance increases as more resistors are added. The total resistance is the sum of all individual resistances.

Front

What happens to the total resistance in a Parallel Circuit when more resistors are added?

Back

In a parallel circuit, the total resistance decreases as more resistors are added. The total resistance can be calculated using the formula 1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rn.

Front

How does current behave in a Series Circuit?

Back

In a series circuit, the current is the same through all components. If the current is 2A, then every component in the series has 2A flowing through it.

Front

How does current behave in a Parallel Circuit?

Back

In a parallel circuit, the total current is divided among the different branches. Each branch can have a different current depending on the resistance.

Front

What is the main advantage of a Parallel Circuit?

Back

The main advantage of a parallel circuit is that if one component fails, the others continue to work. This makes parallel circuits more reliable for powering multiple devices.

Front

What is the main disadvantage of a Series Circuit?

Back

The main disadvantage of a series circuit is that if one component fails, the entire circuit stops working. This can be problematic in applications where reliability is crucial.

Front

What is Voltage?

Back

Voltage is the electrical potential difference between two points in a circuit. It is what pushes the current through the circuit.

Front

What is the unit of Voltage?

Back

The unit of voltage is the Volt (V).