M.E.T.

1 Engineering 04-05-2011

Science for Electrical

RESISTORS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL

1.0 SERIES CIRCUITS The figure 1 below shows two resistors R1 and R2 connected end to end, i.e. in series, with a battery source of V volts.

Since the circuit is closed a current I will flow and the p.d across each resistor may be determined from the voltmeter readings V1 and V2.

Fig. 1

In a series circuit
a)

The current I is the same in all part of the circuit and hence the same reading on each of the ammeters shown and The sum of the voltages V1 and V2 is equal to the total applied voltage, i.e.

b)

V1

V2

..eq. 1

From Ohms law eq. 1 can be written as:

IRT

IR1

IR2

where R is the total circuit resistance. Dividing through by the current I give

,-.= ,-1.

..eq. 1.2

2.0

PARALLEL NETWORK

Fig 2 below shows three resistors, R1, R2 and R3 connected across each other, i.e. in parallel, across a battery source of V volts.

fig. 2

In a parallel circuit:
a)

The sum of the current s I1, I2 and I3 is equal to the total circuit current, IT , I.e.

IT = I1 + I2 + I3
b) The source p.d., V volts, is the same across each of the resistors.

From Ohms law:

. Eq. 2
Where RT is the total circuit resistance. And dividing the eq. 2 throughout by V gives

eq. 2.1

Home assignment

For the arrangement shown in Figure below , find the current IX.