resistors in series and parallel

• Total resistance of resistors in series

  Resistors in series add together
• Resistors in series


  Current has to pass through each resistor in turn, cannot bypass any resistor
• Equivalent resistance


  Resistors in series can be replaced with one resistor of the combined resistance
• Calculating current in a series circuit

  Divide potential difference by total resistance
• Total resistance of resistors in series is the sum of the individual resistances
• Calculating potential difference in a series circuit


  Multiply total resistance by current
• Resistors in parallel


  • Total resistance is less than the resistance of the smallest individual resistor
• Resistors in parallel


  Current has two pathways, so more total current flows
• You are not expected to calculate the total value from resistors in parallel