Topic 2 - Electricity - Types of circuit

Question 1

Describe a series circuit?

Answer 1

1. In series circuits, the different components are connected in a line, end to end, between the +ve and -ve of the power supply
2. If you remove or disconnect one component, the circuit is broken and they all stop

Question 2

What happens to potential difference in a series circuit?

Answer 2

1. In a series circuit, the total pd of the supply is shared between the various components
2. The potential difference around a series circuit always adds up to equal the source pd

Question 3

What happens to current in a series circuit?

Answer 3

1. Current is the same everywhere
2. In series curcuits the same current flows through all the components
3. The size of the current is determined by the total pd of the cells and the total resistance of the circuit

Question 4

What happens to potential difference in parallel circuits?

Answer 4

1. In parallel circuits, all components get the full source pd, so the potential differnce is the same across all components
2. This means that identical bulbs connected in parallel will be at the same brightness

Question 5

What happens to current in parallel circuits?

Answer 5

1. Current is shared between branches
2. In parallel circuits, the toal current flowing around the circuit is equal to the total of all the currents through the separate components