potential difference in a parallel circuit

• Potential difference

  Tells us about energy transfers taking place in a circuit. 1 volt means 1 Joule of energy is transferred per Coulomb of charge.
• Series circuit


  • Potential difference is split between components.
• Parallel circuit


  Has branches, and some of the current passes through each branch.
• In parallel circuits, the potential difference across each component is the same.
• Measuring potential difference in a parallel circuit

  Use a voltmeter across each branch to measure the potential difference.
• Parallel circuit


  • Top lamp has 6V potential difference
  • Bottom lamp has 6V potential difference
• Components connected in parallel

  Have the same potential difference
• Parallel circuit with 2 lamps in series

  • Total potential difference across bottom branch is 9V, same as the branch above and the cell.