Series and parallel circuits Flashcards
What is a series ciruict
A series circuit consists of one continuous loop around the battery or power supply
Rules of series circuits
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.
How to calculate the total resistance in a series circuit
R total = R1+ R2 + R3 + …
(total, 1, 2 and 3 are all subscript)
Where can the ammeter be placed on a series circuit
The ammeter can be placed anywhere in a series circuit as the current is the same everywhere
What is a parallel circuit
In a parallel circuit, there are two or more loops around the battery or power supply.
Rules of parallel circuits
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
Explain how the current flows through parallel circuits
In parallel circuits, some of the current passes through both of the branches depending on the resistance of the loops
State the equation that links, current, charge flow and time
(word and symbol)
Q = I x T
Charge = Current x Time
Units
Coulombs Amps Seconds
C A s
State the equation that links voltage, current and resistance
word and symbol
V = I x R
Voltage = Current x Resistance
Units
Volts Amps Ohms
v A Ω
State the equation that links, energy, voltage and charge
word and symbol
E = Q x V
Energy = Charge x Voltage
Units
Joules Coulombs Volts
J C v
1 V = ?J/C
1V= 1J/C
State the equation that links Power, Energy and time
word and symbol
P = E/t
Power = Energy/Time
Units
Watts (or Joules/Second) Joules Seconds
W (J/s) J s
State the equation that links Energy, Current, Time and Voltage
word and symbol
E = I x t x V
Energy = Current x Time x Voltage
Units
Joules Amps Seconds Volts
J A s V
State the equation that links power, current and time
word and symbol
P = I x V
Power = Current x Voltage
Units
Watts Amps Volts
W A v
State the equation that links power, current and resistance
P = I^2 x R
Power = (Current)^2 x Resistance
Units
Watts Amps Ohms
W A Ω
