Resistor : A conductor which has an appreciable amount of resistance.
R = V/I From ohm’s law
R = pL/A
SYSTEM OF RESISTORS
RESISTORS IN SERIES : If the resistors are joined end to end then they are said to be connected in
series.
RESISTORS IN PARALLEL : Resistors are in parallel if they are connected together between the
same two points.
EQUIVALENT RESISTANCE – RESISTORS IN SERIES
Join three resistors R1, R2 and R3 in series. Connect them with a battery, an ammeter, voltmeters
and plug key as shown in the circuit.
Let, potential difference across X and Y be V.
Potential difference across R1, R2 and R3 be V1, V2 and V3 respectively.
When the resistors are connected in series same current I flows throughout the circuit.
We know that
V = V1 + V2 + V3 ...... (1) According to Ohm’s law
V1 = IR1
V2 = IR2
V3 = IR3...... (2)
Let, total resistance be Rs Then,
V = IRs .................(3) From equation 1 , 2 and 3
IRs = IR1 + IR2 + IR3 Dividing throughout by I
Rs = R1 + R2 + R3
The resistance of the combination Rs is equal to the sum of the individual resistance
NUMERICALS
1. If three resistors each of 10Ω connected in series.
find the effective resistance.
R = R1+R2+R3
=10+10+10 = 30Ω
Calculate (a) total resistance R in the circuit. (b) P.D across R1,R2 and R3
Solution
(a) R =R1+ R2+ R3
= 5+3+2 =10Ω (b) I = V/R
= 10/10 =1A
V1 = IR1
V2 = IR2 = 1X3 =3V
= 1X5 =5V V3 = IR3 = 1X2 =2V
Resistance[lamp] R1 =20Ω
Resistance[conductor] R2 =4Ω
Total Resistance Rs = 20 + 4=24Ω
Total potential difference V = 6V
From Ohm’s law
Current I =V/Rs
EQUIVALENT RESISTANCE –Resistors in Parallel
Join three resistors R1,R2 and R3 together between the same two points X and Y. Connect them
to a battery, key, ammeter and voltmeter across X and Y.
The potential difference across XY is V. The potential difference across each resistor is also same V.
The current I gets divided across each resistor as I1, I2, I3 in parallel combination.
we know that,
I = I1+I2+I3 ------(1)
By ohm’s law,
I1= V/R1
I2= V/R2
I3 = V/R3 2
Let Rp be the equivalent resistance
then, I = V/Rp 3
From 1, 2 and 3
V/Rp = V/R1 +V/R2 + V/R3
1/Rp = 1/R1+1/R2+1/R3
The reciprocal of the equivalent resistance of resistors in parallel is equal to the sum of the
reciprocals of the individual resistances.
Disadvantage of series connection
Total resistance increases in the circuit.
Same current flows through the circuit but different appliances require different values of current
to operate properly.
When one appliance fails the circuit is broken and none of the appliances works.
Each devices cannot be operated separately in Series connection.
Advantage of parallel connection
Divides current through the appliances and thus each appliances gets the required current
depending on its resistance
Voltage is same across each appliance connected in parallel and thus all appliances work
efficiently
Total resistance decreases and thus the total current increases. This helps the appliances to
operate properly as they have different resistances and requires different current.
Even when one appliance fails the other appliances continue to work Each devices can be
operated separately in parallel connection.
