Series and Parallel Circuit Questions.

1. The circuit diagram below shows Lamp 1, L1 and Lamp 2, L2 in series, connected to a
4.5 V Cell, Ammeter 1 - A1, Ammeter 2 - A2, Ammeter 3 – A3 and a Voltmeter
connected across Lamp 1.

I1 I3

I2

The symbols I1, I2 and I3 show the currents

passing through ammeters, A1, A2, and A3.

a. In the circuit diagram above, draw an arrow next to each of the currents, I1, I2,
and I3, to show the direction of conventional current.

b. The current flowing through ammeter 1, I1, is 0.2 A.

i. What is the current through I2 and I3:

I2 = …………………………………………………………………… A

I3 = …………………………………………………………………… A

ii. Explain your answer to question part i.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iii. Write down an equation relating the currents: I1, I2 and I3, in a series circuit.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c. The voltmeter across Lamp 1, L1, measures a value of 2.5V.

i. Calculate the potential difference (voltage drop) across the Lamp 2, L 2.

V2 = …………………………………………………………………… V

ii. Explain your answer to question part i.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iii. Write down a symbol equation relating the potential difference, V1 and V2,
across each bulb and V3 the potential difference across the cell.
 Series and Parallel Circuit Questions.

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2. The circuit diagram below shows Lamp 1, L1 and Lamp 2, L2 in parallel connected to:
a Cell, Ammeter 1 - A1, Ammeter 2 - A2, Ammeter 3 – A3, Voltmeter 1 – V1 connected
across Lamp 1.

I1 I3

I2

a. Voltmeter 1 - V1, measures a potential difference of 9V across the Lamp 1 – L1

i. What is the potential difference across Lamp 2 measured by Voltmeter 2, V2.

V2 = …………………………………………………………………… V

ii. Explain your answer to question part i.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iii. What is the potential difference across the Cell, V3.

V3 = …………………………………………………………………… V

iv. Explain your answer to question part iii.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b. Ammeters, A1, A2, and A3, measure the currents, I1, I2, and I3. The current, I2,

through Ammeter 2 is 0.25 A and the current, I3, through Ammeter 3 is 0.4 A.

i. Calculate the current, I1 going through Ammeter 1.

I1 = ……………………………………………………………………… A

ii. Explain your answer to question part i.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii. Write down an equation relating the currents: I1, I2 and I3, in a parallel circuit.
 Series and Parallel Circuit Questions.

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3. A circuit is set up to measure the current and potential difference across a bulb.

a. Draw a circuit diagram so that the potential difference and current can be measured.

b. An additional bulb is added to the circuit.

i. Using the circuit symbols below complete the circuit so that the two bulbs are in:

series and parallel.

a) b)

ii. Explain why the brightness of the bulb decreases when an identical bulb is added in

series.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iii. Explain why the brightness of the bulb does not change when an identical bulb is

added in parallel.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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 Series and Parallel Circuit Questions.

c. The circuit diagram below shows two switches – S1 and S2, in series and a bulb.

S1 S2

i. Complete the table for the inputs of the switches - On (1) or Off (0), and the
corresponding outputs of the bulb - On (1) or Off (0).

Switch 1 Switch 2 Output

The circuit diagram below shows two switches – S1 and S2, in parallel and a bulb.

S1

S2

ii. Complete the table for the inputs of the switches - On (1) or Off (0), and the
corresponding outputs of the bulb - On (1) or Off (0).

Switch 1 Switch 2 Output