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
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)
way round a series circuit. (The current through the
2 bulbs is the same)
Parallel
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)
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.
between the rwo bulbs. The voltage is
not shared.
Diode
Allows current to flow in one
direction only
direction only
Resistor
Lamp
Variable resistor
This is a resistor in which the
resistance can be
increased or decreased
resistance can be
increased or decreased
Light dependent resistor
(LDR)
The resistance decreases as the
light intensity increases
light intensity increases
Thermistor
Resistance decreases as the temperature
increases
increases
Ammeter
Measures the current flowing in
The circuit (in amps)
The circuit (in amps)
Voltmeter
Measures the potential difference
(voltage) across components in
the circuit (in volts)
(voltage) across components in
the circuit (in volts)
Cell
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
connected in series.
The total potential difference
is the sum of the pd’s of all
the cells in the battery
Switch
Open, breaks the circuit (stops current
flowing
flowing
Closed, completes the circuit (allows current
To flow
To flow
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
fault occurs. This breaks the circuit and
Stops the current from flowing. Protects the
components in the circuit
