Series circuits

• 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
• Why are very few things connected in series in practice?

  Because of the downside of disconnection
• How is the potential difference of a battery shared in a series circuit?

  It is shared across all components
• What does the equation for total voltage in a series circuit represent?

  Total voltage equals the sum of individual voltages
• If a battery has a potential difference of 12 volts, what is the total voltage across two lamps?

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

  4 volts
• What happens to the voltage across identical lamps in a series circuit?

  It is equally divided among them
• How is current measured in a series circuit?

  Using an ammeter placed in series
• Why can an ammeter be placed anywhere in a series circuit?

  Because the same current flows through all components
• How can you calculate current using Ohm's law in a series circuit?

  Divide total voltage by total resistance
• What is the total resistance in a series circuit?

  The sum of individual resistances
• 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 current if the total resistance is 6 ohms and the battery voltage is 12 volts?

  Current is 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 Ohm's law with current and resistance
• If the current is 2 amps and a lamp has a resistance of 2 ohms, what is the voltage across it?

  4 volts
• How can you find the voltage across another component if you know the total voltage?

  Subtract the known voltage from total voltage
• How do you measure voltage across a component?

  Using a voltmeter connected in parallel
• What is the relationship between resistance and voltage in a circuit?

  Higher resistance means higher voltage share
• Why did the 4 ohm resistor have 8 volts while the 2 ohm resistor had 4 volts?

  More force is needed for higher resistance
• What are the key characteristics of series circuits?

  • Single loop configuration
  • Components connected one after the other
  • Disconnection of one component stops the entire circuit
  • Total voltage is shared across components
  • Current is the same throughout the circuit
  • Total resistance is the sum of individual resistances
• What are the key characteristics of parallel circuits?

  • Multiple loop configuration
  • Components connected across the same voltage source
  • Disconnection of one component does not stop the circuit
  • Total voltage is the same across all components
  • Current can vary across components