2.2.2 Characteristics of Parallel Circuits

• What is a parallel circuit?

  Multiple branches for current
• In a parallel circuit, each branch provides an alternative path for the current
• The voltage is the same across all branches in a parallel circuit.
• What is the formula for calculating the total current in a parallel circuit?

  $I_{total} =$$I_{1} +$$I_{2} +$$I_{3} +$$...$
• The total resistance in a parallel circuit is less than the smallest individual resistance
• How does voltage differ in parallel and series circuits?

  Same in parallel, divides in series
• How does current differ in parallel and series circuits?

  Divides in parallel, same in series
• The total resistance in a parallel circuit is always lower than any individual resistance.
• Steps to calculate the total resistance in a parallel circuit

  1️⃣ Write the formula: $\frac{1}{R_{total}} =$$\frac{1}{R_{1}} +$$\frac{1}{R_{2}} +$$...$

  2️⃣ Substitute the values of the individual resistances

  3️⃣ Find a common denominator

  4️⃣ Add the fractions

  5️⃣ Invert the result to find $R_{total}$
• Match the characteristic with the type of circuit:

  Voltage is the same across branches ↔️ Parallel Circuit

  Voltage divides between components ↔️ Series Circuit
• In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch equals the source voltage.
• In a parallel circuit, the total current is the sum of the currents in each branch
• If two branches in a parallel circuit have currents of 2A and 3A respectively, what is the total current?

  5A
• In a parallel circuit, the total current is the sum of the currents in each branch
• What is the formula to calculate total current in a parallel circuit?

  $I_{total} =$$I_{1} +$$I_{2} +$$...$
• If two branches in a parallel circuit have currents of 2A and 3A, the total current is 5A.
• The reciprocal of the total resistance in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of each individual resistance
• What is the formula to calculate total resistance in a parallel circuit?

  \frac{1}{R_{total}} = \frac{1}{R_{1}} + \frac{1}{R_{2}} + ...</latex>
• Steps to calculate the total resistance in a parallel circuit

  1️⃣ List the resistance of each resistor

  2️⃣ Calculate the reciprocal of each resistance

  3️⃣ Sum the reciprocals

  4️⃣ Take the reciprocal of the sum
• If two resistors in a parallel circuit have resistances of 4Ω and 6Ω, the total resistance is approximately 2.4Ω.
• In a parallel circuit, each bulb maintains equal brightness because each receives the same voltage
• The voltage in a parallel circuit is constant across all branches.
• Match the characteristics with the correct circuit type:

  Voltage divides between components ↔️ Series Circuit

  Total current is the sum of branch currents ↔️ Parallel Circuit
• In a series circuit, the voltage divides between components
• What is the formula for calculating total current in a series circuit?

  I_{total} = I_{1} = I_{2} = ...</latex>
• The total resistance in a series circuit is the sum of all individual resistances.
• What is the voltage across each branch in a parallel circuit equal to?

  Source voltage
• In a parallel circuit, the total current is the sum of the currents in each branch
• What is the formula to calculate total current in a parallel circuit?

  $I_{total} =$$I_{1} +$$I_{2} +$$...$
• If two branches in a parallel circuit have currents of 2A and 3A, the total current is 5A.
• What is the formula for total current in a parallel circuit?

  $I_{total} =$$I_{1} +$$I_{2} +$$...$
• What is the formula for calculating the total current in a parallel circuit?

  $I_{total} =$$I_{1} +$$I_{2} +$$...$
• In a parallel circuit, the total current is the sum of the currents in each branch
• The total current in a parallel circuit is calculated by summing the currents in each branch.
• What does $I_{1}$ represent in the formula for total current in a parallel circuit?


  Current in branch 1
• To calculate the total resistance in a parallel circuit, use the formula \frac{1}{R_{total}} = \frac{1}{R_{1}} + \frac{1}{R_{2}} + \frac{1}{R_{3}} + ...</latex>, which involves summing the reciprocals of individual resistances
• Steps to calculate the total resistance in a parallel circuit

  1️⃣ List the resistance of each resistor

  2️⃣ Calculate the reciprocal of each resistance

  3️⃣ Sum the reciprocals to get $\frac{1}{R_{total}}$

  4️⃣ Take the reciprocal of $\frac{1}{R_{total}}$ to find $R_{total}$
• The total resistance in a parallel circuit is always less than the smallest individual resistance.
• Why do bulbs in a parallel circuit maintain equal brightness?

  Voltage is constant
• In a parallel circuit, voltage is constant