Advantages and Disadvantages of Series and Parallel Circuits

A series circuit has how many pathways for the electrons to flow?

• Two
• One
• Many
• Zero

Parallel circuits...

• has more than one path for current to travel

• a circuit that has only one path for current to travel

• a circuit that does not allow electricity to travel through it

• magnets that cause electric current

In a parallel circuit which of the following is the same value throughout the circuit?

• Voltage
• Current
• Resistance
• Charge

What is one problem with using a series circuit? 

• It has a lot of series. 
• If one light goes down, they all go down! 
• It doesn't work properly.
• There are no problems. 

What is a benefit of using a parallel circuit?  

• It gets confusing.
• There are no problems.
• If one light goes out, it does not affect the others. 
• If one light goes out, they all go out. 

When only one lightbulb blows out, an entire string of decorative lights goes out. The lights in this string must be connected in

• series with multiple current pathways

• series with one current pathway

• parallel with multiple current pathways

• parallel with one current pathway

A class prepared some electrical circuits using battery, connecting wires, and three light bulbs. Which of these circuits can make the three bulbs light?

• A

• B

• C

• D

The following are advantages of a series circuit EXCEPT:

• Series circuits do not overheat easily.

• Easy to install and easy to repair and maintain

• All loads in a series circuit have the same current.

• If one load fails, all loads in the circuit will not function.

The following are disadvantages of a series circuit EXCEPT:

• It is difficult to control the load individually.

• It is easy to install, repair and maintain the circuit.

• It is difficult to identify the damaged light bulb in the circuit.

• Since voltage is not equal for every load, not all loads will have the same brightness.

The following are advantages of a parallel circuit EXCEPT:

• Loads are easy to control.

• If one load fails, other loads can still function.

• Large volume of conducting wires will be needed.

• Every load connected in parallel circuit gets an equal amount of voltage.