potential difference in parallel circuits

• What does potential difference tell us about in a circuit?

  Energy transfers taking place in a circuit
• What does a potential difference of one volt mean?

  One Joule of energy per Coulomb of charge
• How much energy does the current carry per Coulomb of charge in the series circuit?

  9 Joules of energy
• What is a characteristic of parallel circuits regarding current?

  Some current passes through each branch
• How can you measure potential difference across the cell?

  Using a voltmeter
• What does a potential difference of 6 volts indicate about the current?

  It carries 6 Joules of energy per Coulomb
• What is the potential difference across the top lamp in the parallel circuit?

  6 volts
• What is the potential difference across the bottom lamp in the parallel circuit?

  6 volts
• How does potential difference in parallel circuits compare to series circuits?

  It is the same across each component
• What is the potential difference across the top lamp and the cell in the given circuit?

  12 volts
• What must be true about the potential difference across components in parallel?

  It is the same for all components
• What is the total potential difference across both bottom lamps?

  9 volts
• How does the total potential difference across the bottom branch compare to the branch above?

  It is the same as the branch above
• What are the key characteristics of potential difference in parallel circuits?

  • Same potential difference across each component
  • Measured using a voltmeter
  • Current splits among branches
• How do you calculate potential difference in a circuit with components in parallel?

  1. Identify the potential difference across one component
  2. Recognize it is the same for all components in parallel
  3. Use voltmeters to measure if necessary