Series and Parallel Resistances - a Summary
To summarize all that we have just learned:
-
There are 2 types of circuits.... Series and Parallel.
-
Series Circuits
-
Are connected in a straight line, like a chain.
-
All current remains the same throughout the circuit.
I
Total
= I
1
=I
2
=I
3
etc...
-
There can be many different voltages in a series circuit, as a voltage
drop appears across every resistor.
-
The total voltage in a series circuit is equal to the sum of all the
individual voltage drops within the circuit.
E
Total
= E
1
+ E
2
+ E
3
+ etc...
-
The total resistance in a series circuit is equal to the sum of all the
individual resistances within the circuit.
-
The formula for Resistance in Series is:
R
Total
= R
1
+ R
2
+ R
3
+ etc...
-
Parallel Circuits
-
Are connected allowing multiple paths for current flow.
-
All voltage remains the same throughout the circuit.
E
Total
= E
1
=E
2
=E
3
etc...
-
There can be many different currents in a parallel circuit, as each leg has
the same voltage, but can have a different resistance.
-
The total current in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of all the
individual currents on each leg of the circuit.
-
The formula for Current in Parallel is:
I
RTotal
= I
R1
+ I
R2
+ I
R3
+ etc...
-
Resistance is found by reciprocating the sum of the reciprocals of the
resistance of the individual branches
-
The formula for Resistance in Parallel is:
1
-----------------------------------
1 1 1 1 1
---- + ---- + ---- + ---- + ---- +
R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
X...
-
Ohm's Law states that there is a relationship which exists between current,
resistance, and voltage, such that
E = I x R
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