Circuits

D.C. Circuits

Series Circuits
Parallel Circuits
Resistors in Series and
Parallel
Series Circuits

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
• state that for a series circuit, the
- current at every point is the same;
- sum of the p.d. across each component is
equal to the p.d. across the whole circuit.
• calculate the effective resistance of resistors
in series;
• apply these principles to solve problems.
Series Circuits

Recall
The arrangement of dry cells in a circuit affects
the circuit’s resultant e.m.f.
• In series arrangement, the resultant e.m.f. is
the sum of all the e.m.f.s of the cells.
• In parallel arrangement, the resultant e.m.f. is
equal to that of a single cell.

Are there rules for series and parallel

circuits that can help us solve problems?
Series Circuits

Series Circuit

In a series circuit,
• the components are connected one after another
in a single loop;
• there is only one path through which electric
current can flow.
Series Circuits

Current in a Series Circuit

In a series circuit, there is only one path through
which electric current can flow.

What can you say about the readings of the

ammeters in the circuit below?

• Both ammeters give the

same readings.
• This is because the
same current flows into
and out of the resistor.
Series Circuits

Current in a Series Circuit

• All ammeters give the same current readings.

• The current readings in this circuit are half of the
current readings in the previous circuit.
Series Circuits

Questions

1. Is the current flowing through the two resistors the

same?
2. What happens to the current in the circuit if one of
the resistors is removed from the circuit?
3. What would happen to the current in the circuit if
one of the resistors has a resistance that is twice
that of the other?
Series Circuits

Potential Difference in a Series Circuit

Remember!
Voltmeters are connected in
parallel to the component
they are measuring.

The potential difference Vε across the whole circuit is

equal to the sum of the potential difference across the
two resistors.
Vε = V1 + V2
Series Circuits

In a series circuit,
• the current at every point is the same;
• the sum of the potential difference across
each component is equal to the potential
difference across the whole circuit.
Vε = V1 + V2 + V3 + … + Vn
Series Circuits

Resistance in a Series Circuit

If we want to replace the two resistors in series with a single
resistor, what should the value of the resistor be?

• The current at every point in the

circuit is the same.
• Since V = IR (Ohm’s Law),
- V1 = IR1
- V2 = IR2
• Using V3 = V1 + V2
= IR1 + IR2 = I(R1 + R2)
V3
= R1 + R2
I
R = R1 + R2
Series Circuits

Resistance in a Series Circuit

In a series circuit, the effective resistance R is the

sum of all the resistances.

R = R1 + R2 + . . . + Rn

In a series circuit, the effective resistance is always

greater than the largest of the individual resistances.
D.C. Circuits

Series Circuits
Parallel Circuits
Resistors in Series and
Parallel
18.2 Parallel Circuits

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
• state that for a parallel circuit, the
- current from the source is the sum of
currents in each branch;
- the p.d.s across each branch are the same.
• calculate the effective resistance of resistors in
parallel;
• apply these principles to solve problems.
18.2 Parallel Circuits

Parallel Circuit

In a parallel circuit,
• the components are connected to the e.m.f.
source in two or more loops;
• there are several paths through which electric
current can flow.
18.2 Parallel Circuits

Current in a Parallel Circuit

In a parallel circuit, there is more than one path
through which electric current can flow.

• The current flowing from the

cell splits at junction x and
recombines at junction y.
• The ammeter reading on A
is equal to the sum of the
readings on ammeters A1
and A2.
18.2 Parallel Circuits

Potential Difference in a
Parallel Circuit

The potential difference Vε

across the whole circuit is
equal to the potential
difference across each of
the resistors.
Vε = V1 = V2
18.2 Parallel Circuits

In a parallel circuit,
• the sum of individual currents in each of the
branches is equal to the main current.
Iε = I1 + I2 + I3 + … + In
• the potential difference across each branch
is equal to the potential difference across
the whole circuit.
18.2 Parallel Circuits

Resistance in a Parallel Circuit

If we want to replace the two parallel resistors with a single
resistor, what should the value of the resistor be?

• We know that I = I1 + I2.

• Since I = V/R (Ohm’s Law),
V V
• I1 = • I2 =
R1 R2

V V V
• Hence, = +
R R1 R2
1 1 1
= +
R R1 R2
18.2 Parallel Circuits

Resistance in a Parallel Circuit

In a parallel circuit, the reciprocal of the effective

1
resistance of resistors in parallel, R , is the sum of
the reciprocal of all the individual resistances.

1 1 1 1 1
= + + +… +
R R1 R 2 R3 Rn

In a parallel circuit, the effective resistance is always

smaller than the smallest individual resistance.
18.2 Parallel Circuits

Worked Example
The circuit shows a 10 Ω resistor and a
20 Ω resistor connected in parallel to a
6 V cell of negligible internal resistance.
Calculate the currents I1, I2 and I3.

Solution
Since the resistors are arranged in parallel, the p.d. across
each resistor is 6 V.
Therefore,
V
I1= 10 Ω = 0.6 A I3 = I1 + I2
= 0.6 A + 0.3 A
V
I2 = 20 Ω = 0.3 A = 0.9 A
18.2 Parallel Circuits

Connecting Bulbs in Series or in Parallel

Are the bulbs in our houses connected
in series or in parallel? Why?

Parallel circuit

Series circuit
 18.2 Parallel Circuits

Connecting Bulbs in Series or in Parallel

circuit A circuit B

Circuit A Circuit B
Potential difference across Vε
Vε
each bulb 2
URL
Effective resistance of
R R
each bulb
Current flowing through V Vε
each bulb
IS = 2Rε IP R
=
D.C. Circuits

Series Circuits
Parallel Circuits
Resistors in Series and
Parallel
18.3 Resistors in Series and Parallel

Learning Outcome
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
• state and apply relevant formulae for current,
potential difference, and resistance in series
V
and parallel circuits, including R = , to solve
I
problems involving whole circuits.
18.3 Resistors in Series and Parallel

Recall
• For n resistors placed in series, the effective
resistance R is given by
R = R1 + R2 + . . . + Rn

• For n resistors placed in parallel, the effective

resistance R is given by
1 1 1 1 1
= + + +… +
R R1 R 2 R3 Rn

How do I calculate the effective resistance

of a circuit that comprises components
arranged in series and in parallel?
18.3 Resistors in Series and Parallel

Worked Example
Find the effective resistance RT
of the following arrangement of
resistors.

Solution equivalent to
First, we calculate the effective resistance
RP of the resistors in parallel.
1 1 1 1
= + =
RP 3Ω 6Ω 2Ω
equivalent to
RP = 2 Ω

The circuit can now be simplified to one that

consists of two resistors arranged in series.

Hence, the effective resistance RT = 2 Ω + 4 Ω = 6 Ω

18.3 Resistors in Series and Parallel

Worked Example
Find the effective resistance RT
of the following arrangement of
resistors.

Solution equivalent to
First, we calculate the effective resistance
RS of the resistors in series.
RS = 3 Ω + 4 Ω = 7 Ω

The circuit can now be simplified to one that

consists of two resistors arranged in parallel.
equivalent to
1 1 1 13
= + =
RT 7Ω 6Ω 42 Ω

RT = 3.2 Ω
18.3 Resistors in Series and Parallel

Question

Determine the equivalent resistance and current

through the battery.

1Ω 1Ω 1Ω 1Ω 1Ω 1Ω
2Ω

3Ω
0.5 V
1Ω 1Ω 1Ω 1Ω 1Ω 1Ω