Parallel circuits

• Parallel circuits


  Circuits with more than one loop, each loop only contains a single component
• Parallel circuits


  • More useful than series circuits
  • If one component breaks, the overall circuit is still intact
• Circuits can be a mix of series and parallel parts
• For truly parallel circuits, all components get their full source potential difference
• Current in parallel circuits

  • Current is shared between all of the loops
  • Adding the currents in each loop equals the total current of the circuit
• Resistance of individual components in the circuit

  Determines how the current splits between the loops
• Resistance in parallel circuits

  The more components added in parallel, the lower the total resistance of the circuit