Comparing Series & Parallel Circuits Flashcards
All 6 cards in this deck
How does the current vary around a series circuit?
It is the same at every point in the circuit.
How is the supply potential difference shared in a series circuit?
It is shared between the components — the p.d.s across the components add up to the supply p.d.
What is the potential difference across each branch of a parallel circuit?
The same as the potential difference of the supply.
How does the current from the supply relate to the currents in the branches of a parallel circuit?
The supply current equals the sum of the currents in the separate branches.
How is the supply potential difference shared between identical components in series?
e.g. four identical lamps on a supply
Equally between them.
e.g. across each lamp.
True or false? Current is used up as it passes through the components of a series circuit.
False. The current is the same before and after every component; it is energy, not charge, that is transferred.