Series Circuits and Parallel Circuits.

Series and Parallel Circuits Series Circuits: only one end of each component is connected Example: Christmas tree lights Parallel Circuits: both ends of a component are connected Example: household lighting

Series Circuits Series circuit: All in a row Current has one path for electrons Current flows through every part of the circuit 1 light goes out and the circuit is broken

Adding Resistor to Series If you add a resistor (like another light): Total resistance goes up since all the current has to go through each resistor. If you remove a light bulb or one burns out—all go out!

Current, Voltage, and Resistance in Series

Parallel Circuits Parallel circuit: More than one path for current to flow Paths are also known as branches Has at least one point where current divides 1 light goes out and the others stay on

Parallel Circuits If you add a resistor: – Total resistance goes down – Total current goes up when you add another path If you remove a light bulb or one burns out, the others stay on because the circuit is still closed.

Current and Voltage in Parallel Circuits Current flows into a branching point, the same total current must flow out again Current depends on resistance in each branch Voltage is the same across each branch – because each branch is on the same wire

Series and Parallel Circuits Series Circuit: Current is the same at all points in the circuit. Parallel Circuit: Current is shared between the components Adding resistor in series increases resistance and slows the current flow. Adding resistor in parallel lowers resistance and increases the current flow.