SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS

Adding components in a circuit

This topic explains key concepts about current in a series circuit and the effect of adding
or removing cells in a circuit.

1. Current in a Series Circuit:

• Concept of Current in Series Circuits

o In a series circuit, the electric current flows equally throughout all

parts of the circuit. The same amount of current flows through each
component.
o The analogy used to describe this is that of a train: all parts of the
train move at the same speed, meaning electrons move together in
the circuit.
o When the back of the train (or electrons at one end of the circuit)
moves, the front (or the rest of the electrons) moves
simultaneously. Similarly, when electrons start flowing in one part of
the series circuit, they flow through all parts of the series.

• Ammeter Readings in Series Circuits

o An ammeter measures current, and in a series circuit, you can

place it at any point in the circuit, and it will give the same reading.
This demonstrates that the current is uniform across the entire
circuit.
o The ammeter reading stays the same if the components are
identical in the circuit.
 • Effects of Changing Components

o While the arrangement of components in a series circuit does not

affect the current, adding or removing components can influence
the circuit’s behaviour.
o Adding components may add resistance or alter the load, which
could reduce the current depending on the type of component
added. Conversely, removing components can increase the
current, depending on what is removed.
o The effect on the current depends on which components are added
or removed.

2. Adding or Removing Cells

• Cells and Batteries as Energy Sources

o Cells and Batteries store chemical energy, which is converted to

electrical energy when used in a circuit.
o When a complete circuit is formed, this chemical energy turns into
electrical energy, powering the components (like lamps) in the
circuit.

• Effects of Adding Cells

o When more cells are added to a circuit, the chemical energy

available to be converted into electrical energy increases.
o As a result, the electrical energy and, therefore, the current in the
circuit increase proportionally.
• Example with Two Circuits

o The diagrams below show two circuits: one with one cell and one
with two cells. All other components (such as the lamp and the
ammeter) are identical in both circuits.

o In the circuit with two cells, the ammeter shows a current reading
of 2.8 A, which is double the reading of 1.4 A in the circuit with one
cell. This demonstrates that the current doubles when you double
the number of cells, assuming the components are the same.
o As the current increases, the lamp in the circuit with two cells will
be brighter due to the greater energy supplied to it.

Key Takeaways:

o In a series circuit, current remains the same at all points, if the

components are identical, and the ammeter will reflect this uniformity.
o Adding or removing components will change the circuit’s,
depending on the nature of the components altered.
o Increasing the number of cells in a circuit leads to more electrical
energy, resulting in a higher current and brighter lamp. The current
in the circuit doubles when you double the number of cells.
Adding or Removing Lamps

1. Effect of Lamps on Electrical Energy

o Lamps covert electrical energy into light and thermal energy.

o When electrons move through a lamp, some of their electrical energy is
transferred to the lamp, which then emits light and heat.

2. Effect on Electron Movement

o The current in series circuit remains the same at all points.

o Adding a lamp causes the electrons to slow down overall but move at
the same reduced speed throughout the circuit.

3. Circuit Behaviour with Two Lamps

o In a circuit with two lamps, the energy transferred is double compared to

a single lamp circuit.
o As a result, both lamps will be dimmer (lower brighter) since they share
the total energy available.
o
4. Impact on Ammeter Readings

o When more lamps are added, the electrons move more slowly, reducing
the current. The ammeter reading on the ammeter decreases.
o The example shows a decrease from 1.4 A (with one lamp) to 0.7 A (with
two lamps).
5. General Rule for Adding or Removing Lamps

o Adding lamps decreases the current when other components remain

constant.
o Removing lamps increases the current when other components stay the
same.
Parallel Circuits

Series circuits

• In a series circuit, all components are connected end-to-end, so there is

only one path for the current to flow through. This means that the current
is the same throughout the circuit.
• If any part of the series circuit is broken (e.g., a switch is opened), the
current stops, and all components (like lamps or buzzers) stop operating.
In the diagram below, you can see a lamp and a buzzer connected in
series.

Key points:

o One path for current flow.

o The same current flows through all components.
o If one component stops functioning (or the switch is opened), the entire circuit
stops.

• To control each component (lamp, buzzer, etc) separately using the same power
source, you would need a parallel circuit.
Parallel Circuits

• In a parallel circuit, there are multiple paths (called branches) for the current to
flow.

• The current divides when it reaches a branch,

flowing separately through each component
connected to the branches. If the components
(e.g., lamps) have the same resistance, the
current is equally divided among them.

• Once the current passes through the components, the branches combine, and
the total current flows out from the circuit.

Key points:

o Multiple paths for current flow.

o The current divides at each branch.
o If one branch is interrupted, other branches can still function.
o Ammeter readings in the diagram show how current divides between branches
(e.g., 6A total current divides into 2A per branch).
Rule for Parallel Circuits

• The total current throughout the cell is equal to the sum of the currents in all
the branches.

There are two branches in this parallel circuit.

Ammeter A2 and A1 show equal readings.
The sum of the currents through ammeters A2
and A3 will be equal to the reading on
ammeter A1 and A4.
This illustrates that in a parallel circuit, even if
the current in the branches differs, the total
current from the source is the sum of all
branch currents.

Three parallel branches with currents:

➢ 1.0 A
➢ 2.0 A
➢ 0.5 A
The total current through the cell (the source)
is calculated by summing the currents in each
branch.
1.0 A + 2.0 A + 0.5 A = 3.5 A

Total current from the cell is 5.5 A.

There are three branches:
o Current X through the first branch (with a buzzer).
o 3.0 A through the second branch.
o 1.5 A through the third branch.
To calculate the unknown current X, apply the rule that the
total current through the cell equals the sum of the branch
currents:
X + 3.0 A + 1.5 A = 5.5 A
X = 5.5A – (3.0 A + 1.5 A)
X = 5.5 A – 4.5 A = 1.0 A
 Key concepts:
• The total current in a parallel circuit is distributed among the branches.
• The sum of branch currents is equal to the total current from the source.
• You can calculate unknown currents in parallel circuits by subtracting the
known branch currents from the total current.

Key Points on Parallel Circuits

• Current Flow: In a parallel circuit, the current can continue to flow through other
branches even if one branch stops working.
o Independence: Components in the same circuit can be switched on and
off independently.
o No Effect on Other Branches: If a component in one branch stops
working, the other branches are unaffected.

The diagram shows two branches, each with a

lamp and a switch.
Switch S1 controls Lamp L1: Closing switch S1
lights lamp L1, but lamp L2 (on a different branch)
remains unaffected.
Switch S2 controls Lamp L2: Similarly, closing
switch S2 lights lamp L2, but lamp L1 is unaffected.
If Lamp L1 fails: Lamp L2 will still work,
demonstrating the independent function of
components in parallel circuits.

Individual Control: Components in parallel circuits can be switched on and off

separately with switches on each branch. All components can also be switched on/off
together if the switch is located between the cell and the branches.
 Central Switch S4: For any lamp to light, switch S4
must be closed.
Switches S1, S2, and S3 control individual lamps.
These switches can control the lamps (L1, L2, L3)
separately.
Effect of S4: Opening switch S4 will turn all lamps off,
regardless of the state of switches S1, S2 and S3.
All lamps can light together: If switches S1, S2 and
S3 are closed but the lamps are off, closing switch S4
will turn them all on simultaneously.

Examples:
• Car Headlights: Connected in parallel, allowing them to be switched on/off
together.
• String of Lights: Also connected in parallel, ensuring that if one light fails, others
continue to function.
Current and Voltage in Parallel Circuits
What is voltage?
Voltage is the electrical energy in a circuit, measured in volts (V). it is related to the
energy supplied by a battery or power supply to a circuit but is not the same as energy
itself.
Cell supply: Most cells supply 1.5 volts. A battery is made up of multiple cells
connected in series, providing 6 V, 9 V, or 12 V depending on the configuration.
Main supply: The electrical outlets (main supply) in buildings provide a voltage from a
generator or electrical station. The main voltage varies by country.
• 220 – 240 V: Common in many countries.
• 110 – 120 V: Common in other countries like USA.
Illustrations of different socket designs for various countries are provided below.

Circuit symbols

The diagram on the right shows symbols

for:
• A battery made from two cells.
• A battery made from many cells.
• A 240 V mains supply.
Voltage and Components
Voltage is also linked to the energy transformation in a circuit. For example, lamps
convert electrical energy into light and heat.
Components have a voltage rating. In schools, lamps used in experiments typically
have a rating of 3 V or 6 V, indicating the maximum voltage they can handle.
Measuring voltage
• Voltage is measured using a voltmeter.

o Both digital and analogue versions are shown in the image.

o The voltmeter’s circuit symbol is also provided.

• Connection
o A voltmeter is connected differently than an ammeter.
➢ The ammeter measures the current flowing through a component,
and it is connected in series with it.
➢ The voltmeter measures the voltage across a component and is
connected in parallel.

The diagram shows a practical set up.

• An ammeter connected in series.

• A voltmeter connected in parallel

to measure the voltage across
the lamp.
Voltage in a series circuit
This subtopic discusses the concept of voltage in series circuit. Here are the key points:

1. Conservation of Energy

o The energy used by components in a circuit must equal the energy

supplied by the power source (cell, battery, etc.)

o In a series circuit, the sum of the voltages across each component must
equal the total voltage supplied by the battery or power source.

2. Example of Identical components

In the first circuit, three identical lamps are

connected in series.
Each lamp uses the same amount of
energy, so they have the same voltage
drop (4 V each).
The total voltage across the lamps adds
up to 12 V, which matches the supply
voltage from the battery.

3. Non- Identical Components

In the second circuit, a lamp and a buzzer

are connected in series.
The lamp consumes more energy than
the buzzer, so the voltage drop across the
lamp (6 V) is greater than that across the
buzzer (3 V).
The total voltage drop (6 V + 3 V) equals
the supply voltage of 9 V.
The General Rule
• The voltage across all components in a series circuit adds up to the total voltage
of the power source.
• The current remains the same through all components, but the voltage can vary
depending on the energy each component uses.

Adding more components in a series circuit

When more components are added to a series circuit, several key changes happen,
particularly to the voltage distribution:
• The voltage across each component decreases because the total voltage from
the power supply is divided among all components (lamps, buzzers, resistors,
etc.)
• As more components are added, each component receives a smaller portion of
the total voltage because the sum of the voltage across all components must
equal the total supplied voltage.

Compare these two series circuits. Both have the same type of battery, and both
have identical lamps.

• As more components are added, each one will experience less voltage than it
would if there were fewer components in the circuit. Especially if the components
are not identical.
• This can lead to a decrease in performance of some components. For example, if
the components are lamps, they will get dimmer as more are added because less
voltage is available to power each one.
Adding more components in a series circuit will decrease the current. As the
components are added, it becomes more difficult for the power supply to push the
electrons around the circuit.

Increasing the number of cells in the same series circuit will:

• Increase the current in the circuit
• Increase the voltage across each component.

Voltage in a Parallel Circuit

In parallel circuits, the voltage across each lamp is equal to the voltage of the power
supply (cell, battery).
1. Voltage distribution
• In a parallel circuit, each branch is connected directly across the power
source.
• This means the voltage across each component in a parallel circuit is
equal to the voltage of the power supply.

2. Components in Parallel
• No matter how many components (e.g., lamps, resistors, buzzers) are
connected in parallel, the voltage across each of them remains the same
as the supply voltage.
• Even if the components are different, (like a lamp and a buzzer), the
voltage across both will still be the same.
 3. Circuit Behaviour
• The total voltage in a parallel circuit is not divided between the
components like it is in a series circuit.
• For example, if a battery provides 9V, each component connected in
parallel will have 9V across it.

If one component in a parallel circuit fails, such as a bulb burning out, the others
continue to function because each has an independent path to the power source.
Example
o If two lamps are connected in parallel to a 9V battery, each lamp will have 9V
across it, regardless of the other lamp’s state or type.

Adding components in Parallel Circuit

Previously, it was mentioned that each component in a parallel circuit operates
independently. If one lamp stopped working, the other continue to work unaffected.
Adding more components in a parallel circuit does not affect the voltage across any
other component. This is useful in practical applications like household wiring, where all
appliances need the same voltage.
Example
o In household wiring, devices like light, fans, and outlets are typically connected in
parallel to ensure they all receive the same voltage. If one device is switched off,
the other continue working.
As you add more lamps, each lamp forms a new
branch in the circuit. Since each branch draws its
own current, the total current flowing through the
circuit increases.
The overall current is the sum of the currents in
all branches. So, more branches (lamps) mean
more pathways for the current to flow, resulting in
a higher total current, as seen in the diagram on
the right.

Differences between series circuits and Parallel circuits

1. Current
• Series Circuit
o Current is the same through all components.
o There is only one path for current to flow, so the same current
passes through each component.
o Formula: Itotal = I1 = I2 = I3 = …

• Parallel Circuit
o The current is divided among different branches.
o Each branch has its own path for current to flow, so the total
current is the sum of the currents in each branch.
o Formula: Itotal = I1 + I2 + I3 + …

2. Voltage
• Series Circuit
o The voltage is divided among the components.
o The sum of the voltage across each component equals the total
voltage supplied by the source.
o Formula: Vtotal = V1 + V2 + V3 + …

• Parallel Circuit
o The voltage is the same across all components.
o Each branch in the parallel circuit receives the full voltage
supplied by the source.
o Formula: Vtotal = V1 = V2 = V3 = …
Resistance
Resistance is a measure of how easy or difficult it is for electrons to move through a
material (conductor).
o It determines how much a material reduces the electric current passing through
it.
o Denoted by the symbol R and measured in ohms (Ω).
o The greater the resistance in a circuit, the smaller the current in the circuit.

Ohm’s Law
• Ohm’s Law states that the current (I) flowing through a conductor between
two points is directly proportional to the voltage (V) across the two points
and inversely proportional to the resistance (R).
Formula:
V=I×R

V = voltage in volts (V)

I = current in amperes (A)
R = resistance in ohms (Ω)

Factors affecting resistance

1. Material of the conductor
• Different materials have different inherent resistances. For example,
copper has very low resistance, while insulators such as plastics, rubber
have high resistance.

2. Length of the conductor

• The longer the conductor, the higher the resistance. Resistance is directly
proportional to length.

3. Cross-sectional area
• A larger cross-sectional area of the conductor means lower resistance.
Resistance is indirectly proportional to the cross-sectional area.
 4. Temperature
• In most conductors, resistance increases with temperature. However,
some materials like semi-conductors may behave differently.

Examples
1. Given: voltage = 12V, current = 2A. Calculate resistance
𝑉
R=
𝐼
12𝑉
=
2𝐴

R = 6Ω

2. A current of 2 A flows through a buzzer. The voltage across the buzzer is 10 V

Calculate the resistance of the buzzer.
𝑉
R=
𝐼
10𝑉
=
2𝐴

R = 5Ω

Resistors
A resistor is a type of electrical component that limits or regulates the flow of electric
current in a circuit. It provides a specific resistance to the current.
The circuit symbol for a resistor is

Many resistors, such as those in the

picture, have coloured bands. The
colours form a code to show the
resistance value in ohms.
The value of the resistor is usually
written with the circuit symbol. When the
value of the resistor is not important, or
when you must calculate the value, the
letter R is usually written beside the
symbol.Resistors
Variable
A variable resistor is a component used to change resistance in a circuit.
Examples of its use:
• Dimmer switches: for controlling the brightness of lamps.
• Volume controls: for adjusting the loudness in devices like music players
or sound systems.

The symbol for a viable resistor is like that of a

fixed resistor, but it has an arrow across it, indicating
that the resistance can be adjusted.

How a variable resistor works in a circuit (example with a lamp)

When the resistance is increased, the current in

the circuit decreases. As a result:
• Less current flows through the lamp,
making it dimmer.
When the resistance is decreased, the current
increases. As a result:
• More current flows through the lamp,
making it brighter.

Everyday Circuits
Electric circuits are used in homes, schools, cars, and many devices like bicycles,
phones, and music systems.
Scientists design circuits to make life easier, e.g., lighting inside a refrigerator or
warning sounds form a buzzer.
Refrigerator circuit
Circuit design: When the refrigerator door is opened. A light
comes on.
The switch is controlled by the fridge door.
• Open door: The switch closes, and the light turns on.
• Closed door: The switch opens, and the light goes off.
Buzzer Circuit in Cars
Some equipment uses buzzers to give warning
sounds e.g., incorrect usage or conditions.
The buzzer circuit can adjust the sound’s loudness.
In cars, a buzzer may activate when the driver
opens the door while the headlights are on:
• Switch S1: controls the headlamps.
• Switch S2: linked to the door.
The headlamps are connected in parallel, so
• The buzzer operates if S1 (headlamps) is they can be switched on and off together.
closed and S2 (door) is open. The buzzer is part of the same branch of the
parallel circuit, as shown in the diagram.

Switch S1 controls the headlamps. Switch S is controlled by the door. When the door is
open, the switch is closed and when the door is closed, the switch is open. Current
cannot flow to switch S2 unless switch SI for the headlamps is closed. That means a
buzzer will sound when you open the door while the headlamps are on.

Equipment that uses 12 V batteries include cars, trucks and

some boats.
These batteries need to be recharged from time to time.
Sometimes, a battery voltage indicator is fitted so the voltage
of the battery can be measured.
The circuit diagram shows how a switch can be used to
display the battery voltage.
A voltmeter is connected in parallel across the battery, and a
switch is included in this branch of the parallel circuit.

Sometimes a lamp with a low voltage rating is required in a

circuit with a battery of higher voltage. For example, a 6 V
lamp can be operated using a 12 V battery.
Resistors are used to produce different voltages. If two
resistors of equal resistance are connected in series with a
battery, then the battery voltage will be shared equally
across each resistor.
A 6 V lamp can then be safely connected in parallel with
one R of the resistors, as shown. The lamp will receive a 6
V supply and work properly.