Series Circuit

Cards (12)

  • Series circuits have only one pathway for the electric current to flow through.
    • Components are connected in a line to form a series circuit
    • If one component is disconnected or removed, then the whole circuit will stop working. This isn't great
  • The more cells in a circuit = the more potential difference there will be
  • The total potential difference is shared across all components, this adds up to the source potential difference.
    V total = V1 + V2 +...
  • Ammeters are connected in series
    • The current is always the same in all components
    • I 1 = I 2 =...
    • The current depends on the total potential difference and total resistance
    • I = V/R
    • The total resistance is the sum of all the components' resistances.
    R total = R1 + R2 +...
    • By adding a resistor in series means that the two resistors have to share the total potential difference.
    • The potential difference between each resistor is lower, so the current across it is lower (directly proportional). Current is the same everywhere in a series circuit, so the total current decreases when a resistor is added. This means that the total resistance increases
  • Current and potential difference are directly proportional, so when one increases the other increases :)
  • Current is inversely proportional to the resistance. So when the current decreases the resistance increases :)
  • The more resistance a component has, the bigger share of the total potential difference (less potential difference can flow through the component)
  • For the diagram here, calculate the current passing through the circuit:
    Total R = 5 ohms
    Total V = 20V
    I = V/R
    I = 20/5 = 4A