Series Circuits

This lesson covers:

  1. What a 'series' circuit is
  2. How series circuits affect potential difference, current, and resistance

Parallel / Series


circuits only have a single loop.


circuits have more than one loop.

Series
Parallel

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2

In a series circuit, the potential difference of the battery is:

Shared across all of the components

The same everywhere in the circuit

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1

Diagram of a series circuit with a 12V battery and two filament lamps, one with 7V across it and the other with an unknown voltage.

The above series circuit shows a 12 V battery supply.


The left filament lamp has a voltage of 7 V measured across it. 


What is the voltage across the right filament lamp?

5

V

V

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1

In a series circuit, the current is:

Shared across all of the components

The same everywhere in the circuit

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/

1

Diagram of a series circuit with a battery, two filament lamps, and three ammeters. The left ammeter shows 3 A.

The above series circuit has a battery, two filament lamps, and three ammeters.


The left ammeter shows 3 A.


What current would the other two ammeters show?

3

A

A

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1

In a series circuit, the total resistance is ________ the sum of the individual resistances of each component.

less than

equal to

more than

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1

Diagram of a series circuit with a battery and two filament lamps, one with 5 ohms and the other with 4 ohms resistance.

The above series circuit has a battery and two filament lamps.


The left filament lamp has a resistance of 5 Ω and the right filament lamp has a resistance of 4 Ω.


What is the total resistance of the circuit?

9

Ω

Ω

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1

Ohm's law, which describes the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance is:

V=IRV=\frac{I}{R}

V=IRV=IR

V=RIV=\frac{R}{I}

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1

Series circuit diagram showing a battery, two filament lamps with resistances of 5 ohms and 4 ohms, and an ammeter showing 3 amps.

The above series circuit has a battery, two filament lamps, and an ammeter.


The left filament lamp has a resistance of 5 Ω, the right filament lamp has a resistance of 4 Ω, and the ammeter shows 3 A.


What is the potential difference across the left filament lamp?

15

V

V

0

/

1

In a series circuit, components with a greater resistance will always have a ________ share of the voltage.

equal

greater

lesser

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1