LESSON 3- Analysing

series and parallel

circuits
Resistors in series

Conclusion

CURRENT POTENTIAL RESISTANCE

DIFFERENCE

SERIES
Resistors connected in series :
The same current flows through each resistors.
The potential difference across each resistors is PARALLE
different. L

Hints of a circuit
Hint 1

Resistors in parallel

Hint 2

Resistors connected in parallel :

The same potential difference across each
resistors.
The current flow through each resistors is
different.

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Hint 3

Example 2
What is the reading of the ammeter for the following
circuits:-

Hint 4

Work example for series and parallel circuits

Example 1

Determine the effective resistance for the following

circuits :-

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Example 3 2 A battery lights all four lamps as shown in the
What is the reading of the voltmeter for the following figure.
following circuits:- Which lamp, if removed ,would cause all the
lamps to go out?

3 Which of the bulbs in the following figure is the

brightest ?
Given that all the bulbs are identical.

4 Which of the following combination of switches

should be closed to make only bulb P,Q and R
light?

A 1 2 3
B 1 2 4
C 1 3 5
D 1 4 5

5 When four identical resistors are connected in

TUTORIAL 3 series , the effective resistance is 20 .
What is the effective resistance if the four
1 The figure shows ammeter reading in a circuit. resistors are connected in parallel?
Which ammeter is showing a faulty reading? A 0.8 B 1.25 
C 5.0 D 20.0
E 80.0

6 When two identical resistors are connected in

parallel , the effective resistance is 4 .
What is the effective resistance if the two
resistors are connected in series?
A 2 B 4
C 8 D 16

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 E 20 

7 The figure show the resistor combinations

P,Q and R.

What is the effective resistance of resistors

combination?
A 2.5 B 5
C 10 D 12.5 
E 25 

10 A current flows in two resistors connected in

series as shown in the following figure. A1 and
A2 are the readings on ammeter V1 and V2 are
the readings on the voltmeters.

Which resistor combination has the lowest

and the highest resistance?

Lowest Highest
resistance resistance
A Q P Which of the following is correct?
B R P Ammeter reading Voltmeter reading
C R Q
D P R A A1 < A2 V1 < V2
B A1 < A2 V1 > V2
8 Which resistor combination gives the effective C A1 = A2 V1 < V2
resistance 8  ? D A1 = A2 V1 = V2
11 A current flows towards the junction of two
resistors connected in parallel as shown in the
following figure. A1 and A2 are the readings on
ammeter V1 and V2 are the readings on the
voltmeters.

Which of the following is correct?

9 The figure a circuit consisting of 3 resistors Ammeter reading Voltmeter reading
10 Ω and a resistor 1 Ω.
A A1 < A2 V1 > V2
B A1 < A2 V1 <2
C A1 = A2 V1 < V2
D A1 >A2 V1 = V2

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 15 Two resistors 4Ω is connected parallel as
shown in Figure (a) and the current I1 flows.
Later , the resistor resistors 4Ω is connected
series l as shown in Figure (b) and the current
I2 flows.

12 What is the reading of the ammeter in the

circuit above when the switch is closed?

A 0.3 A B 3A
C 4A D A
E 36 A

13 What is the reading of the ammeter in the What is the ratio I1 : I2 ?

circuit above when the switch is closed? A 1:2 B 1: 4
C 2:1 D 4:1
A 0.4 A B 0.5 A E 2:3
C 1.0 A D 2.0 A 16 The figure shows a circuit. When the switch ,S
E 2.5 A is opened and closed the reading of the
ammeter is I1 and I2 respectively.
14 The diagram shows a circuit.

What the ratio of I1 : 12 ?

What is the reading of the ammeter when the A 1: 1 B 1:2

switch, S is opened and closed? C 1: 3 D 2:1
E 3:1
Switch S Switch S is
is opened closed
A 4.0 A 6.0 A
B 2.0 A 6.0 A
C 2.0 A 3.0 A
D 2.0 A 1.2 A

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17 What is the reading of the ammeter in the 20 What is the reading of the voltmeter in the
circuit above when the switch is closed? circuit above when the switch is closed?
A 2A B 4 A A 8.0 V B 7.8 V
3 C 6.8 V D 5.8 V
C 3 A D 1 A E 4.8 V
2
E 1 A 21 The diagram shows a circuit.
2

18 In the following circuit the reading of the

ammeter A1 is 12 A.

What is the potential difference across the

What is the reading of the ammeter A2 ? resistor 2  ?
A 9A B 8A
C 6A D 3A A 2V B 4V
E 1A C 6V D 8V
E 10 V
19 The diagram shows a circuit. 22

What is the value of current I1 and I2 ?

A I1 = 0.4A I2 = 0.4 A
B I1 = 2.0A I2 = 0.5 A What is the reading of the voltmeter in the
C I1 = 0.5A I2 = 2.5 A circuit above when the switch is closed?
D I1 = 2.5A I2 = 2.5 A A 2.0 V B 4.0 V
C 6.0 V D 12.0 V
E 24.0 V

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23 The reading of the ammeter in the following (iii) A3
circuit is 2A.

(d) What is the reading of the voltmeter

(i) V1

25 The figure shows a circuit consisting of 3

What is the potential difference across the
identical resistors X ,Y, Z and two
resistor X?
measurement instruments P and Q.
A 0.5 V B 1.5 V
C 2.0 V D 3.0 V
E 6.0 V

24 The figure shows a battery 15 V is connected

to three resistors.

(a) Name the measurement instruments,

P...............................................................

Q..............................................................

(b) (i) When an identical resistor is

connected parallel to resistor Z ,
(a) What is the effective resistance of the what happen to the reading of P
resistor 15  and 10  and Q?

(b) What is the effective resistance of the P......................................................

resistors 15  , 10  and 1.5  ?
Q......................................................

(ii) Give the reason for your answer in

(b)(i).

........................................................
(c) The resistors X, Y and Z are replaced
(c) What is the reading of the ammeter by three identical bulb K, L and M as
(i) A1 shown in following figure.

(ii) A2
Compare the brightness between the
bulb

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 27 Figure (a) and Figure (b) show
(i) K and L photographs for two circuit. Each circuit
contains four identical bulbs connected
........................................................ to four identical new dry cells.

(ii) L and M

........................................................

26 The figure shows a circuit consisting of two

and a bulb.

Figure (a) Figure (b)

(a) (i) State the energy transformations

that take place in the bulb.
(ii) Draw a circuit diagram for each
photograph.
(c) Observe the photographs in Figure (a)
and Figure (b) to deduce a concept in
physics with regard to the potential
(a) When switch S is opened ,the reading of difference and the current flow for the
the ammeter is 1.5 A. bulbs in series and parallel circuits.
Determine
(i) the resistance of the bulb.

(ii) the reading of the voltmeter

(iii) charge flows in the bulb for 4

minutes.

(b) When the switch is closed ,

calculate
(i) the effective resistance in the
circuit.

(ii) the reading of the ammeter.

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