1. Series and Parallel Circuits

2. Series Circuits
Describes two or more components in a circuit that provide
a single path for current

3. Facts about Series Circuits
The more light bulbs you add, the dimmer the light gets because current is shared throughout all of them
If one light bulb is burned out, it breaks the circuit and nothing will light up
Current is the same through each resistor
Voltage drop changes depending on the strength of the resistor

4. To figure out the current running through each resistor….
We need to find the Equivalent Resistance

5. Equivalent Resistance: Series circuits
Req = R1 + R2 + …. + Rn
3kΩ + 10kΩ + 5kΩ = 18kΩ
Req = 18kΩ

6. Parallel Circuits
Describes two or more components of a circuit that provide separate conducting paths for current because the components are connected across common points or junctions

7. Facts about Parallel Circuits
Every light bulb will get all of the current- does not matter how many light bulbs you add
Voltage is the same across every resistor
Total current in battery is equal to the sum of the current going through each resistor

8. To find the Equivalent Resistance in a Parallel Circuit
1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + … + 1/Rn
1/Req = 1/10Ω +1/2Ω + 1/1 Ω
1/Req = 0.1Ω + 0.5Ω + 1Ω = 1.6Ω
Req = 1/ 1.6 Ω

9. Circuits can also be in combination