Parallel & Series

• In series, the current is the same throughout
• The total resistance of components connected in series is equal to the sum of their individual resistances.
• Downside of series circuit is;

  If a component is broken the whole circuit stops
• Potential Difference in series circuit is shared (not always equally) between all components , TOTALV=V1+V2+V3...
• Voltage of a single component is by using the current of whole circuit and the resistance of the singular component V=IR
• Components with greater resistance will have a higher share of Voltage, because it needs more force to push charge through high resistance
• Advantage of Parallel Circuit

  If any component breaks, circuit still works
• Loops with greatest resistance in parallel will have a lower share of current


  Because current will always take the easiest path
• Current in parallel circuit is split into different paths but total current remains constant
• Increasing number of loops decreases current per loop
• Total Current = sum of individual currents
• Resistance is Lower when more components are added to parallel circuit-current has more ways to flow
• In parallel total resistance is smaller than the smallest value resistor
• Parallel circuit can be used as an emergency lighting system because it provides backup power if one bulb fails
• All components in parallel have the same voltage
• current in parallel is shared between loops, just add them up to get total