series circuit

• What is a common point of confusion in exams regarding circuits?

  The differences between series and parallel circuits
• How are components connected in a series circuit?

  All components are connected one after the other
• What is the structure of a parallel circuit?

  It contains more than one loop
• How does the configuration of circuits affect measurements?

  It changes how we measure current, voltage, and resistance
• What happens if one component in a series circuit is disconnected?

  • The whole circuit stops working
  • This is a significant downside of series circuits
  • Very few things are connected in series
• How is the potential difference shared in a series circuit?

  It is shared across all components
• If a battery has a potential difference of 12 volts, what must the total voltage across two components equal?

  12 volts
• If one lamp in a series circuit measures 8 volts, what is the voltage across the other lamp?

  4 volts
• What is the voltage across each identical lamp in a series circuit with a 12-volt battery?

  6 volts
• How is current measured in a circuit?

  Using an ammeter
• Where should an ammeter be placed in a series circuit?

  In series within the main loop
• What is the relationship of current in a series circuit?

  The current is the same everywhere
• How can you calculate current using Ohm's law?

  Divide total potential difference by total resistance
• What does the green symbol in physics and maths represent?

  Sum or total
• If one lamp has a resistance of 4 ohms and another has 2 ohms, what is the total resistance?

  6 ohms
• How do you calculate the current if the total resistance is 6 ohms and the potential difference is 12 volts?

  2 amps
• Why can ammeters be ignored in calculations?

  They generally have tiny resistances
• How do you find the voltage across a single component in a circuit?

  Use current and resistance with Ohm's law
• If the current is 2 amps and the resistance is 2 ohms, what is the potential difference across the component?

  4 volts
• How can you find the voltage across the other component if one measures 4 volts?

  Subtract from the total voltage
• What device is used to measure voltage across a component?

  Voltmeter
• How are voltmeters connected in a circuit?

  In parallel across the component
• What is the overall configuration of the circuit when using a voltmeter?

  The circuit is still treated as series
• How does resistance affect voltage in a circuit?

  • Components with greater resistance have higher voltage share
  • More force is needed to push charge through high resistance
  • Example: 4 ohm resistor gets 8 volts, 2 ohm gets 4 volts
• What is the total potential difference in the circuit with a 12-volt battery?

  12 volts
• What is the resistance of the lamp on the left in the example?

  4 ohms
• What is the resistance of the lamp on the right in the example?

  2 ohms
• What is the total resistance of the circuit with a 4 ohm and a 2 ohm lamp?

  6 ohms
• What is the current calculated from a 12-volt battery and 6 ohms resistance?

  2 amps
• What is the significance of the current being the same in a series circuit?

  It allows for consistent voltage calculations
• Why is it important to understand the differences between series and parallel circuits?

  It affects how we measure electrical properties