series and parallel circuits

• describe current in series circuit

  same across components
• give equation of current in series circuits

  I1 = I2 = I3
• describe potential difference in series circuits

  shared across components
• give equation of potential difference in series circuits

  Vtotal = V1 + V2 + ...
• describe resistance in series circuits

  sum of individual component resistances
• give equation of resistance in series circuits

  Rtotal = R1 + R2
• describe current in parallel circuit

  shared across branches
• give equation for current in parallel circuit

  Itotal = I1 + I2 + ...
• describe potential difference in parallel circuits

  same across branches
• give equation for potential difference in parallel circuits

  Vtotal = V1 = V2
• describe resistance in parallel circuits

  resistance decreases with increase in number of components