circuits and components

Maths, Physics Revision

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ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS

Series
In a series circuit the
components are connected
one after the other. In this
circuit two bulbs are
connected in series. If the
circuit is connected to a
6 volt battery the voltage
(potential difference) is
shared by the bulbs

Current is not shared, it is the same all the
way round a series circuit. (The current through the
2 bulbs is the same)

In a parallel circuit the
components (bulbs) are
connected parallel to each
other on two separarte
branches of the circuit.
The voltage across each bulb
is the sames as the battery
voltage (NOT SHARED)

In a parallel circuit the Current is shared
between the rwo bulbs. The voltage is
not shared.

Components

Diode

Resistor

The resistance of the bulb
increases as the temperature
of the filament in the lamp increases

This is a resistor in which the
resistance can be
increased or decreased

Light dependent resistor

(LDR)

The resistance decreases as the
light intensity increases

Thermistor

Ammeter

Measures the current flowing in
The circuit (in amps)

Measures the potential difference
(voltage) across components in
the circuit (in volts)

Cell

Provides the potential difference
(voltage) For the components in
the circuit

Battery

A battery is a number of cells
connected in series.
The total potential difference
is the sum of the pd’s of all
the cells in the battery

Switch

Fuse

Melts if the current goes too high when a
fault occurs. This breaks the circuit and
Stops the current from flowing. Protects the
components in the circuit

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