P7 Parallel and

Series Circuits

Basic Circuit

Bulbs in Series
Both lights become
dimmer once a second
bulb is added in series
Electrons must travel
the same path going
through each bulb

Bulbs in Series

Bulbs in Parallel
Increases current drawn from
battery, reducing the life of
the battery
Both bulbs remain the same
brightness after adding the
second bulb in parallel
Electrons still only pass
through one bulb

Bulbs in Parallel

Cells in Series
Increases the voltage
More energy available to
the bulb, it becomes
brighter after adding the
second battery
All electrons travel through
both batteries

Cells in Series

Cells in Parallel
Electrons only gain
energy at one battery
Light remains the same
after adding second
battery

Decreases the current

drawn from each
battery, increases the life
of the batteries

Cells in Parallel

Current in Series Circuits

Electrons must all travel the same path
There travel down this path is resisted by
anything in their way
Add resistance(s) to find total resistance

Current in Parallel Circuits

Electrons have at least two paths
There travel down a path is resisted only
by what is on that path
The electrons split themselves between
the available routes reducing the
resistance on each path

Voltage in Series Circuits

Electrons must all travel the same path
They give up energy at each resistance
along the way;
9 volt drop with 1 bulb
4.5 volt drop with 2 bulbs
3 volt drop with 3 bulbs

Voltage in Parallel Circuits

Electrons have at least two paths
The electrons give up energy at each
resistance only along their path.
Each coulomb of electrons only goes
through one resistance, they give up all
their energy at once; 9 volt drop

 Where do coulombs of electrons get

energy?
At the battery
Where do coulombs of electrons lose
energy?
At the bulb (resistance)

A
C

How much energy does each coulomb pick up

from D to A?
How much energy does each coulomb release
from B to C?

A
C

How much energy does each coulomb pick up

from D to A?
How much energy does each coulomb release
from B to C?

How much energy does each coulomb pick up

from D to A?
How much energy does each coulomb release
from B to C?

How much energy does each coulomb pick up

from D to A?
How much energy does each coulomb release
from B to C?

A
C

How much energy does each coulomb pick up

from D to A?
How much energy does each coulomb release
from B to C?

A
E

How much energy does each coulomb pick up from D to A?

How much energy does each coulomb release from B to E?

How much energy does each coulomb release from C to D?

A
E

How much energy does each coulomb pick up from D to A?

How much energy does each coulomb release from B to E?

How much energy does each coulomb release from C to D?