P3.7 Parallel Circuits

• What is a parallel circuit?


  A parallel circuit is a circuit in which each component has its own loop.

  
• How does potential difference work in a parallel circuit?


  All the components in a parallel circuit have the same potential difference.
• What happens to current in a parallel circuit?


  The total current is shared between all the parallel loops. So to find the total current, you must add the current of each loop.
• What happens to resistance in a parallel circuit?


  The more loops you have in a parallel circuit, the lower the total resistance will be.

  This is true regardless of the resistance of each component.
• What is the main advantage of a parallel circuit?


  If one component breaks, the circuit as a whole will continue to work.

  
• What type of circuits are being explored in the video?

  Parallel circuits
• How do parallel circuits treat potential difference?

  Each component gets the full potential difference
• What happens if one component in a parallel circuit breaks?

  The overall circuit remains intact
• If a circuit has a 12 volt battery, what voltage do the components receive?

  12 volts across each component
• How is current shared in parallel circuits?

  Current is shared among all loops
• If a circuit has two loops with a total of 4 amps, what could the current distribution be?

  3 amps in one loop, 1 amp in another
• What determines how current splits in parallel circuits?

  The resistance of individual components
• How can you visualize current flow in parallel circuits?

  As water flowing down a hill
• What happens to total resistance when more components are added in parallel?

  Total resistance decreases
• Why does adding more loops in parallel decrease overall resistance?

  It increases flow options for current
• How does the resistance of a high-resistance loop affect current flow?

  It takes a lower share of the current
• What is a key characteristic of parallel circuits?

  • More than one loop
  • Each loop contains a single component
  • Components receive full source potential difference
• What are the implications of a component breaking in a parallel circuit?

  • Overall circuit remains intact
  • Other components continue to function
• How does current behave in parallel circuits?

  • Shared among loops
  • Depends on individual component resistance
  • Higher current in lower resistance loops
• What is the relationship between the number of components and total resistance in parallel circuits?

  • More components lead to lower total resistance
  • Increased flow options for current
• How can the concept of water flow help understand current in parallel circuits?

  • Water represents electrical current
  • Paths of least resistance allow more flow