 The basic components of a simple circuit are…

o a source of voltage or potential difference (V) like a battery, power supply, solar cell, etc.
o a device with a resistance (R) like a light, heater, motor, television, etc. identified by the
generic name resistor.
o wires of negligible resistance to carry current (I) on a closed loop from the voltage source
to the resistor and back.
 Conservation of charge in a circuit
o The current flowing into a component equals the current flowing out.
 Conservation of energy in a circuit
o When current flows through a voltage source it experiences a voltage increase.
o When current flows through a resistor it experiences a voltage drop.
o When current flows around a circuit it experiences no change in voltage.
 The components in a series circuit are connected along a single path.
o In a series circuit, current is the same everywhere.

Is = I1 = I2 = I3 = … = Ii

o In a series circuit, voltage divides so that the voltage increase supplied by the voltage
source equals the sum of the voltage drops across the resistors.

Vs = V1 + V2 + V3 + … = ∑Vi

o In a series circuit, the total resistance equals the sum of the individual resistances.

Rs = R1 + R2 + R3 + … = ∑Ri

 Resistance increases (and current decreases) as resistors are added in series to a source
of constant voltage.
 The components in a parallel circuit lie on independent branches.
o In a parallel circuit, current divides so that the total current through the voltage source
equals the sum of the currents through the branches.

Ip = I1 + I2 + I3 + … = ∑Ii

o In a parallel circuit, the voltage increase across the voltage source is the same as the voltage
drops across each branch.

Vp = V1 = V2 = V3 = … = Vi

o In a parallel circuit, the inverse of the total resistance equals the sum of the inverses of the
individual resistances.
1 1 1 1 1
= + + +…=∑
Rp R1 R2 R3 Ri
 Resistance decreases (and current increases) as resistors are added in parallel to a source
of constant voltage.
 Meters in circuits
o Current is measured with an ammeter.
 An ammeter is wired in series with the circuit element or section of the circuit being
examined.
 An ideal ammeter has zero resistance so that it does not increase the resistance and
reduce the current.
 The symbol for an ammeter is an uppercase A⃝ in a circle.
o Voltage is measured with a voltmeter.
 A voltmeter is wired parallel to the circuit element or section of the circuit being
examined.
 An ideal voltmeter has infinite resistance so that it does not decrease the resistance and
increase the current (so that is does not short the circuit).
 The symbol for a voltmeter is an uppercase V⃝ in a circle.
o Resistance is measured with an ohmmeter.
 An ohmmeter combines a power supply with an ammeter and a voltmeter.
 An ohmmeter "computes" resistance from the ratio of voltage to current.
 The symbol for an ohmmeter is an uppercase Greek Ω⃝ (omega) in a circle.
Follow the rules for series circuits.

Resistances in series add up.

RT = R1 + R2 + R3
RT = 20 Ω + 30 Ω + 50 Ω
RT = 100 Ω
Total current is determined by the voltage of the power supply and the equivalent resistance of
the circuit.

IT = VT/RT
IT = 125 V/100 Ω
IT = 1.25 A

Current is constant through resistors in series.

IT = I1 = I2 = I3 = 1.25 A
The voltage drops can be found using Ohm's law.

V1 = I1R1
V1 = (1.25 A)(20 Ω)
V1 = 25.0 V

V2 = I2R2
V2 = (1.25 A)(30 Ω)
V2 = 37.5 V

V3 = I3R3
V3 = (1.25 A)(50 Ω)
V3 = 62.5 V

Verify your calculations by adding the voltage drops. On a series circuit they should equal the
voltage increase of the power supply.

VT = V1 + V2 + V3
125 V = 25.0 V + 37.5 V + 62.5 V
125 V = 125 V
 There are three equations for determining power. Since we have three resistors, let's apply a
different equation to each as an exercise.

P1 = V1 I1
P1 = (25.0 V)(1.25 A)
P1 = 31.250 W

P2 = I22R2
P2 = (1.25 A)2(30 Ω)
P2 = 46.875 W

P3 = V32/R3
P3 = (62.5 V)2/(50 Ω)
P3 = 78.125 W

v.In a series circuit, the element with the greatest resistance consumes the most power.
a. Follow the rules for parallel circuits.

.Resistances in parallel combine according to the sum-of-inverses rule.

1 1 1 1
= + +
RT R1 R2 R3
1 1 1 1
= + +
RT 20 Ω 100 Ω 50 Ω
1 5 1 2
= + +
RT 100 Ω 100 Ω 100 Ω
1 8
=
RT 100 Ω
100 Ω
RT = = 12.5 Ω
8
i.Total current is determined by the voltage of the power supply and the equivalent
resistance of the circuit.

IT = VT/RT
IT = 125 V/12.5 Ω
IT = 10 A
(Note: we'll answer part iv before part iii.) On a parallel circuit, each branch experiences
the same voltage drop.

VT = V1 = V2 = V3 = 125 V
iii. The current in each branch can be found using Ohm's law.

I1 = V1/R1
 I1 = (125 V)/(20 Ω)
I1 = 6.25 A

I2 = V2/R2
I2 = (125 V)/(100 Ω)
I2 = 1.25 A

I3 = V3/R3
I3 = (125 V)/(50 Ω)
I3 = 2.50 A

vi. Verify your calculations by adding the currents. On a parallel circuit they should add up
to the current from the power supply.

IT = I1 + I2 + I3
10 A = 6.25 A + 1.25 A + 2.50 A
10 A = 10 A

vii. Good, it works.

P1 = V1I1
P1 = (125 V)(6.25 A)
P1 = 781.25 W

P2 = I22R2
P2 = (1.25 A)2(100 Ω)
P2 = 156.25 W

P3 = V32/R3
P3 = (125 V)2/(50 Ω)
P3 = 312.50 W

viii. In a parallel circuit, the element with the least resistance consumes the most power.