Series circuits

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

  The differences between series and parallel circuits
• How many loops are in a series circuit?

  One loop
• What happens if one component in a series circuit is disconnected?

  The whole circuit stops working
• How is the potential difference 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 and one lamp measures 8 volts, what is the voltage across the other lamp?

  4 volts
• What is the current like in a series circuit?

  The same everywhere in the circuit
• How do we measure current in a circuit?

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

  In series within the main loop
• How can we calculate current in a series circuit?

  By dividing 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
• What is the current if the battery voltage is 12 volts and total resistance is 6 ohms?

  2 amps
• Why can we ignore the resistance of ammeters in calculations?

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

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

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

  By subtracting from total voltage
• What is the reading of a voltmeter connected across a component?

  The potential difference across that component
• What is the relationship between resistance and voltage in a circuit?

  Higher resistance means higher voltage share
• Why does a 4 ohm resistor have a higher voltage than a 2 ohm resistor?

  More force is needed to push charge
• What are the key characteristics of series circuits?

  • Single loop
  • Components connected one after another
  • Current is the same throughout
  • Total voltage is shared among components
  • If one component fails, the entire circuit fails
• What are the key characteristics of parallel circuits?

  • Multiple loops
  • Components connected across the same voltage source
  • Current can vary in different branches
  • Total voltage is the same across all components
  • If one component fails, others can still function