Ch. 23 Series and Parallel Circuits Milbank High School

Sec Simple Circuits Objectives –Describe both a series connection and a parallel connection and state the important characteristics of each –Calculate current, voltage drops, and equivalent resistance for devices connected in series and in parallel –Describe a voltage divider and solve problems involving one

Series Circuits Charge only has one path to follow Potential difference (voltage drop) V = IR –In an electrical circuit, V source is equal to the voltage drops across your resistors R = R a + R b + …. –Net change in potential of current is zero Battery or generator raises potential

Voltage drops As current passes through a resistor, the potential drops an amount equal to the increase, and therefore, the net change in zero Voltage divider –Produces a voltage of desired magnitude –Specialized resistor

Parallel Circuits Several current paths

Sec Applications of Circuits Objectives –Explain how fuses, circuit breakers, and ground-fault interrupters protect house-hold wiring –Analyze conbined series-parallel circuits and calculate the equivalent resistance of such circuits –State the important characteristics of voltmeters and ammeters, and explain how each is used in circuits