1. Series and Parallel Circuits

2. Cells in Series
The electric potential given to a single electron by a dry cell has an average voltage of around 1.5V. By connecting batteries together in series the voltage of each cell is added to the total electric potential of a circuit.

3. Cells in Series
When the electron leaves the first cell it is given a boost to 1.5 volts. It then enters the second cell and given another boost of 1.5 volts for a total of 3.0 volts. Cells can be added in series indefinitely to increase the voltage of the battery.

4. Cells in Parallel
In some electronics the voltage required to run them can be quite low but in order for the device to run for any length of time larger or more batteries are needed.

5. Cells in Parallel
We can add more energy (current) without adding more voltage by adding the cells in parallel. By doing this the run time of the electrical device can be increased.

6. Cells in Parallel and Series
This increases the voltage and the current supplied to the circuit. The voltage is increased by the addition two batteries in series and the current is increased by the batteries in parallel.

7. Series Circuits with Multiple Loads
As loads are added to a series circuit, the voltage stays the same but the current will decrease with each load added because with each load added there is more resistance making it harder for the current to flow

8. Series Circuits with Multiple Loads
This follows ohms law. V = R x I. As we add more resistance the current will drop because voltage stays the same.

9. Parallel Circuits with Multiple Loads
As loads are added to parallel circuits the current increases because the electricity has more places to flow. With each load added the voltage stays the same and the resistance decreases.

10. Parallel Circuits with Multiple Loads
Due to Ohms law, if voltage stays the same and resistance drops, current must increase.

11. Lab – Page 506 Designing Circuits