Module 4 Series and Parallel Circuits Flashcards
(20 cards)
Name these symbols
Open switch and closed switch
Name this symbol
Cell
Name this symbol
Battery
Name this symbol
Diode
Name this symbol
Resistor (or Ohmic conductor)
Symbol for a variable resistor
Name this symbol
Thermistor
Name this symbol
LDR (light dependent resistor)
Symbol for LED (light emitting diode)
What is this?
symbol for a capacitor
How is current shared in a series circuit?
current is same at every point in the circuit (at a particular time)
this also applies to one branch of a parallel circuit
How is current shared in a parallel circuit?
current is shared between the branches depending on the resistance
How is voltage shared in a series circuit?
voltage of power source is shared between components used depending on their resistance (Kirchhoff’s 2nd law)
applies to voltage on one branch of a parallel circuit
How is voltage shared in a parallel circuit?
voltage is same across each branch of the circuit
How is the power of a component in a series circuit related to its resistance?
P=I^2R - I is the same at a given point in time so P∝R, higher the resistance the higher the power (in bulbs the brighter the bulb)
How is the power of a component in a parallel circuit related to its resistance?
P=V^2/R, V is the same across each branch so we can say that P is proportional to 1/R
What is the total resistance of a series circuit?
the sum of individual resistances of all components
Why does a voltmeter need to have very high resistance?
to minimise change in current over the component being measured. V=IR, V is same R greater so I must be smaller
Why does an ammeter need to have a very low resistance?
so current and voltage remains unchanged. V is shared between all components in series according to resistance, V=IR, if R is small and I is same through all components at any point in time V will be small
What is the total resistance of a series circuit?
Total R = (1/R1 + 1/r2 + ….)^-1
