Characteristics of Series Parallel Circuits Series Circuit One

Characteristics of Series & Parallel Circuits

Series Circuit: • One path from the source & back • If 1 device burns out, the circuit breaks & everything shuts off. • The current is the same through out the circuit. IT= I 1=I 2 • The more loads you add in series, the lower the current becomes V I=R (as R increases; I decreases)

Series Circuit: • The potential difference is divided up among all parts of the circuit. VT= V 1+V 2 • The resistance is added together RT= R 1+R 2 • Examples: – Christmas tree lights • (the frustrating old incandescent type!)

Parallel Circuit: • More than one path from the source and back. • If one device goes out, the rest are unaffected. • Current is the sum of the currents from all paths. IT= I 1+I 2 • The potential difference is the same across the source and all loads. VT=V 1=V 2 • You can add more loads in parallel without affecting the operation of the others.

Parallel Circuit: • Resistances are not added together because the electrons can go down separate paths. 1 1 1 = + RT R 1 R 2 • Examples: – The plugs in your home. Why did the lights go out? Because they liked each other.

KIRKOFF'S LAWS SERIES PARALLEL Current: Constant Current: Additive • Same at all points & through the source • current through each branch adds to total current through source. Potential Difference: Add Potential Difference: Const • potential diff. across all loads add up potential diff. across source. potential diff. across each load equals each other and potential diff. source. Equivalent Resistance: + Equivalent Resistance • equivalent resistance of loads in series found by adding up the resistance of the individual loads • equivalent resistance of loads in parallel is lower than the resistance of any of the individual loads. It is calculated as:

Characteristics of Series & Parallel Cells

Batteries Connected in Series • Doubles the voltage • Maintaining the same capacity rating (amp hours). Batteries Connected in Parallel • Doubling the capacity (amp hours) of the battery • Maintaining the voltage of the individual batteries.