IGCSE›Edexcel IGCSE Physics›Mind mapsComponents in Series & Parallel CircuitsEdexcel IGCSE Physics: Mind mapStudy pack PDFAlso for this subtopic:Revision notesFlashcardsSubtopic testCover factsSeries or parallel?Series: one loop, one break stops allParallel: separate branchesBranches switch on and off independentlyHome lighting is parallelSeries currentSame current everywhere in the loopHigher voltage gives more currentMore components: more resistance, less currentCircuitsseries and parallelLDRLEDVAI-V graphsFixed resistor: straight line through originFilament lamp: curve flattensLamp heats up so resistance risesDiode: conducts one way onlyChanging resistanceFixed voltage: more resistance, less currentLDR: resistance falls as light risesThermistor: resistance falls as temperature risesLamps and LEDs show current is flowingExam tipsDescribe I-V shape and give the reasonLDR and thermistor resistance never rises with more light or heat