Series and parallel circuits

Question 1

What is a series ciruict

Answer 1

A series circuit consists of one continuous loop around the battery or power supply

Question 2

Rules of series circuits

Answer 2

For components connected in series:

• the current is the same at every point in the circuit
• the total potential difference of the power supply is shared
  between the components. If the resistances of two components are the same, then they receive the same voltage
• the total resistance of two components is the sum of the
  resistance of each component.

Question 3

How to calculate the total resistance in a series circuit

Answer 3

R total = R1+ R2 + R3 + …
(total, 1, 2 and 3 are all subscript)

Question 4

Where can the ammeter be placed on a series circuit

Answer 4

The ammeter can be placed anywhere in a series circuit as the current is the same everywhere

Question 5

What is a parallel circuit

Answer 5

In a parallel circuit, there are two or more loops around the battery or power supply.

Question 6

Rules of parallel circuits

Answer 6

Rules of parallel circuits

Each loop receives the full voltage of the battery (not compound)

The total current through the whole circuit is the sum of the
currents through the separate components

The current from the battery is divided between the loops

• the total resistance of two resistors is less than the resistance
  of the smallest individual resistor

The more loops a circuit has, the lower the resistance

Question 7

Explain how the current flows through parallel circuits

Answer 7

In parallel circuits, some of the current passes through both of the branches depending on the resistance of the loops

Question 8

State the equation that links, current, charge flow and time
(word and symbol)

Answer 8

Q = I x T
Charge = Current x Time

Units
Coulombs Amps Seconds
C A s

Question 9

State the equation that links voltage, current and resistance
word and symbol

Answer 9

V = I x R
Voltage = Current x Resistance

Units
Volts Amps Ohms
v A Ω

Question 10

State the equation that links, energy, voltage and charge
word and symbol

Answer 10

E = Q x V
Energy = Charge x Voltage

Units
Joules Coulombs Volts
J C v

Question 11

1 V = ?J/C

Answer 11

1V= 1J/C

Question 12

State the equation that links Power, Energy and time
word and symbol

Answer 12

P = E/t
Power = Energy/Time

Units
Watts (or Joules/Second) Joules Seconds
W (J/s) J s

Question 13

State the equation that links Energy, Current, Time and Voltage
word and symbol

Answer 13

E = I x t x V
Energy = Current x Time x Voltage

Units
Joules Amps Seconds Volts
J A s V

Question 14

State the equation that links power, current and time
word and symbol

Answer 14

P = I x V
Power = Current x Voltage

Units
Watts Amps Volts
W A v

Question 15

State the equation that links power, current and resistance

Answer 15

P = I^2 x R
Power = (Current)^2 x Resistance

Units
Watts Amps Ohms
W A Ω