Potential Difference in Series Circuits

• Potential difference


  The energy transferred per unit of charge moving through a circuit
• Measuring potential difference


  1. Connect a voltmeter across the component

  2. Read the voltage displayed on the voltmeter
• Potential difference across a cell

  Indicates the total energy transferred per unit of charge moving through the circuit
• Potential difference across components in series

  The total potential difference is shared between the components
• Potential difference in series circuits

  • The total potential difference is the same across all components
  • The potential difference across each component depends on the component's resistance
• Potential difference across components in series(cell p.d = 9 volts)

  • Lamp 1: 6 volts
  • Lamp 2: 3 volts
• The total potential difference across components in series is equal to the potential difference of the power source
• Components with higher resistance will have a greater potential difference across them in a series circuit