Series and Parallel CircuitsAQA GCSE Physics: Flashcards

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What is a series circuit?

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What is a series circuit?: A circuit where all components are connected in a single loop, one after another, so there is only one path for current to flow.
What is a parallel circuit?: A circuit where components are connected in separate branches, providing multiple paths for current to flow.
State the key difference between series and parallel circuits in terms of current paths.: Series circuits have one path for current; parallel circuits have multiple paths for current.
What is true about current at all points in a series circuit?: Current is the same at all points in a series circuit. The same current flows through every component.
How is potential difference distributed in a series circuit?: Potential difference is shared between the components in a series circuit. The total potential difference equals the sum of the potential differences across each component.
What is true about potential difference across components in a parallel circuit?: Potential difference is the same across all components in a parallel circuit. Each branch has the same potential difference.
How is current distributed in a parallel circuit?: Current is shared between the branches in a parallel circuit. The total current equals the sum of the currents in each branch.
Write the equation for calculating total resistance in a series circuit.: R_total = R₁ + R₂ (+ R₃ etc.)
Calculate the total resistance of three resistors in series with values 5 Ω, 10 Ω, and 15 Ω.: R_total = 5 + 10 + 15 = 30 Ω
Write the equation for calculating total resistance in a parallel circuit.: 1/R_total = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ (+ 1/R₃ etc.)
Calculate the total resistance of two resistors in parallel with values 6 Ω and 3 Ω.: 1/R_total = 1/6 + 1/3 = 1/6 + 2/6 = 3/6 = 1/2 R_total = 2 Ω
Explain why total resistance increases when resistors are added in series.: Each resistor opposes the flow of current. When resistors are added in series, the total opposition to current increases, so total resistance increases.
Explain why total resistance decreases when resistors are added in parallel.: Each additional parallel branch provides an alternative path for current to flow. More paths mean less total opposition to current, so total resistance decreases.
In a series circuit, what happens to the brightness of bulbs if you add more bulbs to the circuit?: The brightness of all bulbs decreases because potential difference is shared between more components, so each bulb receives less potential difference.
In a parallel circuit, what happens to the brightness of bulbs if you add more bulbs to the circuit?: The brightness of each bulb remains the same because each branch has the same potential difference across it, regardless of how many branches exist.