Ohm’s Law Resistance in Series Circuits Resistance in Parallel Circuits Total Resistance Equivalent Resistance Voltage Drops and Resistance Conductance and Current Flow
Resistance in Series Circuits Key Point: In a series circuit the total resistance equals the sum of the individual resistances. RT = R1 + R2 +. . .+ RN
Resistance in Parallel Circuits Key Point: Conductance is the reciprocal of resistance. In a parallel circuit the total conductance equals the sum of the individual branch conductances. GT = G1 + G2 +…+ GN
Total Resistance RULE 11-1 To find the total resistance in a series‑parallel circuit: Determine which resistors are in parallel and reduce that part of the circuit to an equivalent resistance; Add series resistances when possible; Continue steps I and 2 until the circuit is reduced to one resistance.
Equivalent Resistance
Voltage Drops and Resistance Key Point: In a series circuit the greater voltage drops across the greater resistance. If R1 > R2, then V1 > V2
Conductance and Current Flow Key Point: In a parallel circuit the greater current flows through the greater conductance. If G1 > G2, then I1 > I2