Subject Code: PHY 2 Physics 2

Module Code: 8.0 Electricity

Lesson Code: 8.4.1 Resistors and Resistor Combinations, Part 1
Time Frame: 30 minutes

Components Tasks TA1 ATA2

(min) (min)

Target By the end of this learning guide, the student should be able to:
● compare series connection from parallel connection 1
● calculate the equivalent resistance for various resistor
networks

Hook What do you think will happen to the brightness of bulb A in

Figure 1 (Hewitt, 2015, p. 450) when the switch is closed and 2
bulb B lights up? To answer this question, we need to
understand how current behaves at different points along a
circuit.

Hewitt
Figure 1. Bulbs connected in parallel connection

In the configuration shown in Figure 1, bulbs A and B are said

to be connected in parallel to each other. Connections such as
this are widely used in many gadgets we have today. Circuits
are the basic parts of electronic devices, from your cellphones
to your computers. Every electronic device around you makes
use of electric circuits to work. In this lesson, we will be
studying the different circuit connections.

Ignite Generally, there are two types of circuit connections, namely

the series and parallel connections. Figure 2 shows the set-up 27
of a series and a parallel connection.

1
Time allocation suggested by the teacher.
2
Actual time allocation spent by the student (for information purposes only).

Physics 2 Resistors and Resistor Combinations, Part 1 Page 1 of 7

 Giancoli
Figure 2. Circuit connections

Series Connection

A connection is said to be series if it has a single path of charge

flow as shown in Figure 3. For simplicity, we will use resistor
diagrams instead of lamps as circuit elements.

Giancoli
Figure 3. Circuit elements connected in series connection

From the principle of charge conservation, the rate of charge

flow would be the same at all points along a single path in the
circuit and therefore the current through each of the resistors are
the same:
I   =  I 1   =  I 2 = I 3  

In the circuit shown in Figure 3, V 1  , V 2  , and V 3   denote the

potential differences across each of the resistors R1 ,  R2 ,  and
R3 ,  respectively, while voltage (V) denotes the total potential
difference across the entire circuit. From Ohm’s Law, we can
express the potential differences across the resistors as:
V 1 = I 1 R1  
V 2 = I 2 R2  
V 3 = I 3 R3  

Physics 2 Resistors and Resistor Combinations, Part 1 Page 2 of 7

 and the total potential difference V  across the entire circuit as:
V = I Req  

where Req   is the equivalent resistance or total resistance of the

circuit and the variable I   is the overall current drawn from the
battery.

From the principle of energy conservation, the total voltage V  

is equal to the sum of the voltages across each resistors in the
circuit, given as:
V =V1+V2+V3 
Hence,
V = I 1 R1 + I 2 R2 + I 3 R3  

To determine the equivalent resistance we have:

I Req = I 1 R1 + I 2 R2 + I 3 R3  

Utilizing the relationship I = I 1 = I 2 = I 3  , we have:

I Req = I (R1 + R2 + R3 )  

Req = R1 + R2 + R3  
In general, the relevant equations for a series connection are as
follows:
I   =  I 1   =  I 2 = I 3 = …   (eqn:1)  

V = V 1 + V 2 + V 3 = …  (eqn:2)  

Req = R1 + R2 + R3 = …   (eqn:3)  

Parallel Connection

When a charge path in a circuit is separated in branches such

that the circuit elements have common endpoints or terminal
ends, A and B, as shown in Figure 4, the circuit connection is
said to be parallel.

Physics 2 Resistors and Resistor Combinations, Part 1 Page 3 of 7

 Giancoli
Figure 4. Circuit elements connected in parallel connection

In a parallel circuit, a break in any of the paths does not

interrupt the flow of charge in other paths. This type of
connection is widely used in buildings and houses wirings so
that if any of the devices connected in parallel blow up, other
connections are not interrupted.

Meanwhile, the current I  that enters the junction A as shown in

Figure 4 splits into currents I 1  , I 2   and I 3   for resistors R1 , 

R2 ,  and R3   respectively. Because the electric charge is
conserved, the current that enters and leaves the junction are
equal. Thus,
I = I1 + I2 + I3  

By applying Ohm’s Law, the above relation can be written as

follows,

V V1 V2 V3
Req = R1 + R2 + R3  

where Req   is the equivalent resistance or the total resistance of

the circuit.

In a parallel connection, the voltage across the paths are equal;

that is,
V   =  V 1   =  V 2 = V 3  

Using the relationship V   =  V 1   =  V 2 = V 3  , we have:

V V V V
Req = R1 + R2 + R3  

° Ñ
V =V 1 + 1 + 1  
Req R1 R2 R3

Thus, the equivalent resistance can be expressed as:

Physics 2 Resistors and Resistor Combinations, Part 1 Page 4 of 7

 1 1 1 1
Req = R1 + R2 + R3  

In general, the equations of a parallel connection are:

I = I1 + I2 + I3   (eqn:4)  

V   =  V 1   =  V 2 = V 3   (eqn:5)  

1 1 1 1
Req = R1 + R2 + R3   (eqn:6)  

Now going back to the opening question, if the switch is closed

and bulb B lights up, nothing actually happens to the brightness
of bulb A. It stays the same since the voltages across the bulbs
being in parallel connection are equal and the same as that of
the battery. With this, the same current will pass through bulb A
whether or not current is flowing through bulb B. Another way
of looking at it is that with the switch closed, the equivalent
resistance of the circuit will be halved thereby drawing more
current from the battery which will then split into A and B.

To further understand the lesson, let us examine some

conceptual examples on circuits.

Conceptual Example 1. Are the three circuits shown in Figure

5 equivalent? Why or why not (Hewitt, 2015, p. 450)?

Hewitt
Figure 5. Bulbs connected through wires

Answer:

Yes, the three diagrams in Figure 5 are equivalent and are

connected in parallel. The paths are individually connected to
the battery.

Conceptual Example 2. The bulbs shown in Figure 6 are

identical. An ammeter is placed in different locations, as shown.
Rank the current readings in the ammeter, from greatest to
least (Hewitt, 2015, p. 448).

Physics 2 Resistors and Resistor Combinations, Part 1 Page 5 of 7

 Hewitt
Figure 6. Bulbs connected in parallel with ammeter at different path

Answer:

Since the bulbs are connected in parallel, the voltages across

them are equal. Being identical, the bulbs have the same
resistance and will draw the same current. Hence, the ranking
of current readings by the ammeter from greatest to least is
A = B = C  .

Conceptual Example 3. All bulbs are identical in the circuits

shown in Figure 7. A voltmeter is connected across a single
bulb to measure the voltage drop across it. Rank the voltage
readings from greatest to least (Hewitt, 2015, p. 448).

Hewitt
Figure 7. Bulbs connected in series

Answer:

The identical bulbs in Figure 7 are connected in series. Note

that in series connections the voltages across the circuit
elements when added up is equal to the voltage across the entire
connection from end to end. In diagram A, the voltage across
the bulb is the same as that of the battery. In diagram B, the
voltage for each bulb is one-halves’ the battery’s voltage.
Meanwhile, in diagram C, the voltmeter reads one-thirds of the
battery’s voltage. Hence, the voltage reading of a voltmeter
from greatest to least is A, B, C.

Physics 2 Resistors and Resistor Combinations, Part 1 Page 6 of 7

References:

1. Hewitt, P. G. (2015). Conceptual Physics (12th ed.). Pearson Addison Wesley, Inc.
2. Giancoli, D. C. (2013). Physics Principles with Applications (7th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.
3. Cutnell, J. D. and Johnson, K. W. (2012). Physics (9th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. Inc

Prepared by: Ken Wood L. Segundino Reviewed by: Francis M. Emralino

Position: SST I Position: SST III

Campus: Caraga Region Campus Campus: CALABARZON Region Campus

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