Magnetism and Electricity Current and Voltage in Series Circuits
In a series circuit: z The current is the same at all points.
z The voltages across all of the different components sum to the voltage of the battery in the circuit.
1 A A1 1 A A3 A2 1 A 9 V Fig. 18.7.3
Each of the ammeters – A1, A2, and A3 – record the same current of 1 A.The voltages in this circuit add up to a total of 9 V – this is equal to the voltage of the battery
18.7
6 V 6 + 3 = 9 V Current and Voltage in Parallel Circuits
In a parallel circuit: z The current of each separate branch of the circuit sums to the value of the series current in the overall circuit.
z The voltage across components on the same branch is equal. 6 V
1.2 A A1 6 V V1 0.9 A
A2 0.3 A
A3
V2 6 V
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Fig. 18.7.4 The current recorded on ammeters A2 and A3 sum to the value of the current recorded on ammeter A1. This is the value of the series current in the overall circuit. The voltmeters V1 and V2 record the same value. This value, 6 V, is the same as the voltage of the single cell battery
