Topic 2 - Series and Parallel Circuits Flashcards

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1
Q

how are series circuits set up?

A

the different components are connected in a line, end to end

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2
Q

what happens in a series circuit if you disconnect one component?

A

every component stops working

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3
Q

what happens if you add more cells into a series circuit?

A

the voltage increases. e.g. when 2 batteries with voltages of 1.5V are connected in series they supply 3V

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4
Q

how does current change in a series circuit?

A

its the same everywhere

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5
Q

what does size of current depend on in a series circuit?

A

total potential difference and total resistance

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6
Q

what happens to the total voltage in a series circuit?

A

its shared between components, depending on their resistance

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7
Q

what is the total resistance of a series circuit?

A

the sum of the resistance of each component in the circuit

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8
Q

how are parallel circuits set up?

A

each component is separately connected, in a separate branch

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9
Q

what happens in a parallel circuit if you disconnect one component?

A

it will hardly affect the others

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10
Q

what happens to the voltage in a parallel circuit?

A

its the same across all branches

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11
Q

what happens to current in a parallel circuit?

A

its shared between branches

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12
Q

what happens to the current at a junction in a parallel circuit?

A

it can spit or rejoin but the total current going in equals the total current leaving

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13
Q

what does the current in a branch depend on in a parallel circuit?

A

the resistance of the branch - the higher the resistance the lower the current

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