resistors in series and parallel

• Resistors in series


  Resistors add together to give the total resistance
• Calculating current in a circuit with resistors in series


  Add the resistor values together to get the total resistance

  2. Use the equation: current = potential difference / total resistance
• Current has to pass through each resistor in a series circuit</b>
• Equivalent resistance


  Replacing multiple resistors in series with a single resistor of the same total resistance
• Calculating current in a circuit with resistors in series

  Calculate the total resistance by adding the individual resistor values

  2. Use the equation: current = potential difference / total resistance
• Calculating potential difference across resistors in series

  Calculate the total resistance by adding the individual resistor values

  2. Use the equation: potential difference = current x total resistance
• Resistors in parallel


  The total resistance is less than the resistance of the smallest individual resistor
• With resistors in parallel, the current has two pathways to take, so the total current increases
• If the current increases but the potential difference remains the same, the total resistance must have decreased