10.2.1

• When resistors are connected in series, the total resistance is equal to the sum of their individual resistances
• Increasing the number of resistors in series increases the overall resistance
• The total voltage in a series circuit is the sum of the voltages across each individual resistor
• In a series circuit, the voltage of the power supply is shared between all components
• When resistors are connected in parallel, the total resistance decreases
• The combined resistance of resistors in parallel is less than if they were connected in series
• Each resistor in parallel creates an extra path for charge flow, allowing more charge to flow overall
• This leads to a smaller overall resistance in a parallel circuit
• Advantages of a parallel circuit:

  • Components can be individually controlled using their own switches
  • If one component stops working, the others will continue to function