1. Loads in Series: Current and Resistance
13.10
The current in a series circuit is the same at all points in the circuit.
When more loads are added in series to a circuit, the electrons experience more “bumps” along their path.
So the total resistance of the circuit increases and the current decreases.
Vocabulary
Ohm’s law

2. Loads in Series: Voltage
13.10
The energy source of a circuit provides electrons with electric potential energy. That energy gets converted into kinetic energy as the electrons flow through the circuit.
The energy source provides electrons with the same amount of electric potential energy no matter how many loads are connected in the circuit.
When two loads are connected in series, the electric potential energy is divided between the two loads.
So the voltage drop across each load (Vload) adds up to the voltage across the terminals of the energy source (Vsource).
Vocabulary
Ohm’s law

3. Loads in Parallel: Current
13.10
When two identical loads are connected in parallel to a circuit, the electrons leaving the energy source split into two paths.
So the current through each load (Iload) is half the current coming from the energy source (Isource).
When more identical loads are connected in parallel, the current through each load is given by Iload = 
Vocabulary
Ohm’s law

4. 13.10 Loads in Parallel Resistance Voltage
In a parallel circuit, electrons flowing through one branch experience “bumps” only through the load(s) in that branch.
So the total resistance of a parallel circuit is less than if the loads were connected in series.
Voltage
In a parallel circuit with two branches, some electrons flow through one branch, while other electrons flow through the other branch.
In each branch, all of the electric potential energy provided to the electrons by the energy source gets converted into kinetic energy.
So the voltage drop across each parallel branch is the same as the voltage across the terminals of the energy source.
Vocabulary
Ohm’s law

5. Loads in Series 2 V 4 A 4 A 6 V 2 V 4 A 4 A 2 V
Each load in series receives the ___________ current coming from the power supply such that I0 = I I I3
Each load in series has a ___________ of the voltage of the power supply such that V0 = V V V3
The overall resistance in a series circuit ____________ as more loads are added.
same = =
fraction + +
increases

6. Loads in Series 2 V 4 A 4 A 6 V 2 V 4 A 4 A 2 V
Each load in series receives the ___________ current coming from the power supply such that I0 = I I I3
Each load in series has a ___________ of the voltage of the power supply such that V0 = V V V3
The overall resistance in a series circuit ____________ as more loads are added.
same = =
fraction + +
increases

7. Loads in Parallel 3 A 1 A 1 A 1 A 6V 6V 6 V 6V 3 A
Each load in parallel receives a ___________ of the current coming from the power supply such that I0 = I I I I4
Each load in parallel has the __________voltage as the power supply such that V0 = V V V3
The overall resistance in a parallel circuit ____________ as more loads are added.
fraction + + =
same = =
decreases

8. Loads in Parallel 3 A 1 A 1 A 1 A 6V 6V 6 V 6V 3 A
Each load in parallel receives a ___________ of the current coming from the power supply such that I0 = I I I I4
Each load in parallel has the __________voltage as the power supply such that V0 = V V V3
The overall resistance in a parallel circuit ____________ as more loads are added.
fraction + + =
same = =
decreases