Comparing Series & Parallel Circuits Flashcards
All 7 cards in this deck
In a series circuit, what is true about the current at each point?
It is the same at every point in the circuit.
How is the supply potential difference shared between components in a series circuit?
e.g. two identical lamps on a 3 V supply
The p.d.s across the components add up to the supply p.d.
Each lamp has V across it.
In a parallel circuit, what is the potential difference across each branch?
The same as the potential difference of the supply.
True or false? If a lamp in one branch of a parallel circuit breaks, the components in the other branches stop working.
False. Only that branch stops working; the other branches still get the full supply p.d. and keep working.
True or false? Adding a second identical lamp in series with the first makes each lamp dimmer than the single lamp was.
True. The total resistance is greater, so the current is less and the potential difference is shared between the two lamps.
In a series circuit, which component gets the larger share of the supply potential difference?
The component with the larger resistance.
In a parallel circuit, how is the current from the supply related to the currents in the branches?
The supply (total) current equals the sum of the currents in the separate branches.