TOPIC 3 UNIT 1 Series and parallel circuits Series circuits and parallel circuits In this unit you will learn about:


• how components are arranged in series circuits • the effect of adding resistors to series circuits • how components are arranged in parallel circuits • the effect of adding resistors to parallel circuits.


LET US CHECK


✔ A circuit is a complete conducting pathway for electricity. ✔ A circuit has a number of components connected together.


Different circuits


The components in electrical circuits can be connected in different ways. They can be connected in either series or parallel.


New word


series circuit – a circuit with only one path along which current can flow


Series circuits In series circuits all of the components are connected in a simple loop so that there is only one path along which the current can flow. The components are connected so that the same current flows through each of them in turn.


When components are connected one after another in the circuit, we say the components are connected in series. All the circuits you have worked with so far have been series circuits. The current strength in a series circuit is the same everywhere in the


circuit. But when resistors are added to the circuit they decrease the amount of current that flows in the circuit.


Practical activity 1 Investigate the effect of more resistors in a series circuit


Group work


AIM To see what happens when more resistors are added to a circuit.


118 Topic 3 Series and parallel circuits


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