8

SCIENCE
Quarter I- Week 6
Series and Parallel Circuits

CONTEXTUALIZED LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

SCHOOLS DIVISION OF PUERTO PRINCESA CITY
Science – Grade 8
Contextualized Learning Activity Sheets (CLAS)
Quarter I - Week 6: Series and Parallel Circuits
First Edition, 2021

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Published by the Schools Division of Puerto Princesa City

Development Team of the Contextualized Learning Activity Sheets

Writer: Kristine R. Algara
Content Editors: Mary Jean P. Narte, Mary Joy B. Nuňez,
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 Lesson 1

Series and Parallel Connections

MELC: Explain the advantages and disadvantages of series and parallel connections
at home. (S8FE-li-31)
Objectives:
1. Differentiate between series and parallel circuits
2. Describe a series connection and a parallel connection
3. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of series and parallel
connections at home

Let’s Try
Directions: Read and analyze each question carefully. Write the letter of the correct
answer on the space provided.

____1. Which connection is more cost-efficient?

A. Series C. Either series or parallel
B. Parallel D. Neither series nor parallel

_____2. What type of circuit has only one electric flow?

A. battery circuit C. power supply
B. parallel circuit D. series circuit

____3.Which of the following statement/s is/are advantage/s of a parallel circuit?

I. Simple and easy to make same.

II. Every unit that is connected gets an equal amount of voltage.
III. It is easy to connect or disconnect a new element without affecting the
working of other elements.
IV. Additional power sources, like batteries, can be added and increase the
force of the output which grants you more power.
A. I and II C. II and III
B. III and IV D. II and IV

____4. How are the appliances in your home connected?

A. Series, so that the current in all branches of the circuit is constant.
B. Parallel, so that the current in all branches of the circuit is constant
C. Series, so when one appliance blows a fuse, the rest continues to work.
D. Parallel, so when one appliance stops working,the rest continues to work.

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_____5. Which statement describes current in a series circuit?
A. It decreases.
B. It increases.
C. It stays the same throughout.
D. It splits up across each component.

_____6. Which statement describes current in a parallel circuit?

A. It increases.
B. It splits across the branches.
C. It stays the same throughout.
D. It splits up through each component.

_____7.Which of the following is a disadvantage of a series circuit?

A. It requires the use of a lot of wires.
B. We cannot increase or multiply the voltage in a parallel circuit.
C. The more devices in a series circuit, the less current passes through.
D. It fails at the time when it is required to pass exactly the same amount of
current through the units.

_____8. What type of electric circuit has multiple paths for current to take?
A. series circuit C. short circuit
B. static circuit D. parallel circuit

_____9.What happens when one light bulb in a series circuit gets busted?
A. The other light bulbs get dimmer.
B. The other light bulbs shine brighter.
C. The other light bulbs will not light up.
D. Nothing changes in the brightness of the other bulbs.

_____10. In parallel circuit, which of the following is the same across each resistor?
A. charge B. current C. resistance D. voltage

Let’s Explore and Discover

UNLOCKING of
DIFFICULTIES
Series Circuit
In series connection,
components are connected
in line, one after the other,
to allow current to flow
through one single path.
Parallel Circuit
In parallel connection,
two or more components
are connected across two
common points to allow
separate conducting
paths.
The benefits that we derive from electricity are
brought about not by the fundamental charge alone but
also by the control of the flow of electrons through different
materials or media. Almost, if not all, appliances involve the
control of the flow of electrons. This tells us that for
electricity to be useful, there should be a proper path for
electrons to move. We use electric circuits for thousands of
different things from cars to computers.
In our homes, we can have many electrical devices
on at the same time. How is this possible? What do circuits
in our homes look like?
In this lesson, you will learn about the two kinds of
circuits-the series circuits and parallel circuits.
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Why is Parallel Connection Preferred over Series Connection?

Parallel circuit is an electric circuit with two or more components connected across
two common points to allow separate conducting paths while series circuit is an electric
circuit with several components arranged to allow current to flow through one single path.
In the parallel circuit, the total current is equal to the sum of the current in individual
loads. This is because the charges can flow in different path inside the circuit. Voltage is
the same across each component that’s why bulbs have the same brightness in this
circuit. Another feature of parallel connection is that as we increase the number of loads,
resistance decreases. By adding loads such as bulb, we are providing more paths in which
charges can flow.

Appliances in our home are connected through parallel connection. This is

because in this type of circuit, every unit is provided with an equal amount of voltage. In
this type of connection, it is easy to connect or disconnect a new element without affecting
the other working parts. It is like plugging in or out your cellphone charger. Another
advantage of a parallel circuit is that if any fault happened to the circuit, then the current
can pass through the circuit through different paths. Parallel circuits also have
disadvantages. One of these is it requires the use of a lot of wires. Unlike in series, we
cannot increase the voltage in a parallel.

In a series circuit, each load has the same current since it travels in one path. The
total voltage is equal to the sum of the voltages across each load, meaning each device
has a different voltage. In this type of connection, resistance increases as we increase
the number of loads. One advantage of a series circuit is you can increase the voltage by
adding power source (batteries) to increase the force of the output which grants you more
power. Series is also easy to make or design. However, unlike parallel circuit, adding more
devices in a series will lessen the current passing through the circuit. Since current only
flows in one path, if one device or load breaks, the entire series is turned off. Figure 1
below shows the proper connection for series and parallel circuits, table 1 summarizes the
advantages and disadvantages of each connection and table 2 presents the summary for
the rules for resistances in series and parallel circuits.

SERIES CIRCUIT PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Series circuit is made by In parallel circuit the same
connecting the end of one device terminal of both device are
to beginning of another. connected together.

Figure 1: Series and Parallel Circuits

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Table 1: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS

Circuit Advantages Disadvantages

1.Current in all parts of the 1.There is only one path for the flow of
circuit is the SAME. This causes electric current. If a bulb or lamp is
the bulbs to light up with the burnt, other bulbs will not light up.
same brightness.
2.Cells in series do not last long.
SERIES 2.The current in the circuit
increases if more cells are 3. If more bulbs are added, the
Circuit
connected. resistance in the circuit increases
3. All circuit components are causing the electric current that flows
controlled by one switch. to decrease.

1. If one of the bulbs is burnt, 1. The voltage does not increase or

the other bulbs continue to decrease if cells of the same type are
shine. connected in parallel.
PARALLEL
Circuit 2. Parallel cells last longer. 2. The electric current in the circuit is
the same even though more cells are
3. Each bulb receives the same connected in parallel.
voltage that is supplied by the
electric source.

Table 2: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESISTANCES IN SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS

Quantity Series Circuit Parallel Circuit
The current through each The total current that flows through
Current resistance is the same as the the circuit is equal to the sum of the
total current throughout the current in each resistance. It =I1+ I2+
circuit. It = I1=I2=I3… I3 +…

The sum of all the individual The voltage drop in each resistance is
Voltage voltage drops is the same as the the same as the magnitude of the
applied voltage. Vt =V1 + V2 + V3 applied voltage. Vt = V1=V2=V3…
+…
The total resistance is equal to The reciprocal of the total resistance
the sum of the individual is equal to the sum of the reciprocals
Resistance resistances. Rt = R1+ R2+ R3 +… of the individual resistances.
1=1+1+1+…
Rt R1 R2 R3

(Source: “Advantages and Disadvantages of a SERIES and PARALLEL Circuits,” Scribd.com,

accessed June 16, 2020, https://www.scribd.com/document/315327902/Advantages-
andDisadvantages-of-a-SERIES-and-PARALLEL-Circuit.)

4
 Every first night of December, the Giant
Christmas tree at Puerto Princesa City Bay Walk is
being lit up (shown in figure 2). This marks the
beginning of a month-long celebration of Christmas
season in the city. The bulbs used in lighting the tree
are connected in series which allows electricity to
flow from one bulb to another, then flows back to the
power source. In this setup, when a filament in one
bulbs blows out, it creates an open circuit in the
wiring. When a circuit is incomplete, or open,
electricity fails to pass through any of the wire,
causing all the light bulbs to go out.
(Source: ENERGY.GOV, How Do Holiday Lights Work?,
Accesed July 16,2021
https://www.energy.gov,/articles/how-do-holiday-lights-
FIGURE 2: THE PUERTO PRINCESA CITY GIANT work)
CHRISTMAS TREE
Captured by: Abdul Ben Radjack M. Utoh

Let’s Practice

COMPARE THE CONNECTIONS

Directions: Compare the total current, total voltage and total resistance of series
and parallel circuits.Check the box that corresponds to your answer.

Series connection Parallel connection

Same as current Same as current in

Total Current in individual load
Note: You can ref individual load
Equal to the sum of current Equal to the sum of current
in individual loads
er to your periodic table. in individual loads

Same anywhere across two Same anywhere across two

Total Voltage points in the circuit points in the circuit
Equal to the sum of the Equal to the sum of the
voltages across each load voltages across each load

Decreases with increasing Decreases with increasing

Total Resistance load load
Increases with increasing Increases with increasing
load load

5
 FIND OUR DIFFERENCE
Directions: Differentiate series circuit from parallel circuit by completing the chart below.
Choose your answer from the phrases listed below the chart.
SERIES CIRCUIT PARALLEL CIRCUIT
Definition

Paths

Resistance

Examples

one path home circuits device and switch several paths

increases with added load all parts connected in a row

decreases with added branches different paths on separate branches

(Source: Series and Parallel Circuits Worksheets-Printable Worksheets-

accessed June 25, 2020-
https://printableworksheets.in/?dq=Series%20And%20Parallel%20Circuits.)

Let’s Do More
Fo

fff

WHICH IS RIGHT OR WRONG

Directions: Write T if the statement is TRUE and F if the statement is FALSE.

__________1. Light bulbs connected in series all carry the same current, regardless
of their resistances.
_________ 2. In a series circuit, the total voltage drop across a series of resistors is
the sum of voltage drops across each individual resistor.
__________ 3. In a parallel circuit, current in each branch is the same.
__________ 4. When resistors are arranged in parallel, their overall resistance is less
than that of the smallest resistor.
__________5. A fuse or circuit breaker used in a circuit is usually inserted in
parallel.

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 SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS
Directions: Tell whether each picture shows a series circuit or a parallel circuit.

7
 Let’s Sum It Up
Directions: Underline the correct answer from the options inside the bracket to complete
the paragraph.

Appliances in our home are connected through (1) (parallel, series) connection.
This is because in this type of circuit, every unit is provided with an equal amount of
voltage. This connection is easy to connect or disconnect a new element without affecting
the other working parts. In a series circuit, each load has the same current since it travels
in one path. The total voltage is (2) (equal,greater) to the sum of the voltages across each
load. In this type of connection, resistance (3) (increases,decreases) as we increase the
number of loads. Also, current is (4) (equal , greater) through all components and the
total resistance is (5) (equal to, less than) the total.

Parallel circuit is an electric circuit with two or more components connected across
two common points to allow separate conducting paths. In a parallel circuit, voltage is the
(6) (same, greater) across each component. The total current is (7) (equal to, greater
than) to the sum of the current in individual loads. This is because the charges can flow in
different path inside the circuit. In a parallel circuit, as we increase the loads, resistance
(8) ( increases, decreases).

Let’s Assess
Directions: Read and analyze each question carefully. Write the letter of the correct
answer on the space provided.

____1.Which of the following is a disadvantage of a series circuit?

A. It requires the use of a lot of wires.
B. We cannot increase or multiply the voltage in a parallel circuit.
C. The more devices in a series circuit, the less current passes through.
D. It fails at the time when it is required to pass exactly the same amount of
current through the units.

____2. What type of electric circuit has multiple paths for current to take?
A. series circuit B. static circuit C. short circuit D. parallel circuit

____3.What happens when one light bulb in a series circuit gets busted?
A. The other light bulbs get dimmer.
B. The other light bulbs shine brighter.
C. The other light bulbs will not light up.
D. Nothing changes in the brightness of the other bulbs.

____4. In a parallel circuit, which of the following is the same across each resistor?
A. charge B. current C. resistance D. voltage

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____5. Which is the most cost-efficient connection?
A. Series B. Parallel C. Either series or parallel D. Neither series nor parallel

____6. What type of circuit has only one electric flow?

A. battery circuit B. parallel circuit C. power supply D. series circuit

____7. How do the appliances in your home are arranged?

A. Series, so that the current in all branches of the circuit is constant.
B. Parallel, so that the current in all branches of the circuit is constant
C. Series, so when one appliance blows a fuse the rest continue to work.
D. Parallel, so when one appliance stops working the rest continue to work.

____8. Which statement describes current in a series circuit?

A. It decreases.
B. It increases.
C. It stays the same throughout.
D. It splits up across each component.

____9. Which statement describes current in a parallel circuit?

A. It increases.
B. It splits across the branches.
C. It stays the same throughout.
D. It splits up through each component.

____10.Which of the following statement/s is/are advantage/s of a parallel circuit?

I. Simple and easy to make same.
II. Every unit that is connected gets an equal amount of voltage.
III. It is easy to connect or disconnect a new element without affecting the
working of other elements.
IV. Additional power sources, like batteries, can be added and increase the force of
the output which grants you more power.

A. I and II C. II and III

B. III and IV D. II and IV

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 Answer Key
Let’s Try Let’s Practice
1.B 6.B Series connection Parallel connection
2.D 7.C Same as current Equal to the sum of current
Total Current
3.C 8.D in individual load in individual loads
4.D 9.C Equal to the sum of the Same anywhere across two
5.C 10.D Total Voltage voltages across each load points in the circuit

Increases with increasing Decreases with increasing

Total Resistance load load

Let’s Sum It Up
1.parallel Let’s Practice Series circuit Parallel circuit
2.equal All parts connected in a different paths on separate
3.increases Definition row branches
4.equal one path Several paths
Paths
5.equal
6.the same increases with added load decreased with added
Resistance
7.equal branches
8.decreases device and switch home circuits
Example

Let’s Assess Let’s Do More

1.C 6.D 1. T 1.Series Circuit
2.D 7.D 2. T 2.Parallel Circuit
3.C 8.C 3. F 3.Parallel Circuit
4.D 9.B 4. T 4. Series Circuit
5.B 10.C 5.T 5. Parallel Circuit
6. Series Circuit

References
Book

Campo, Pia C., Maria Helen D.H. Catalan, Letisha V. Catris, Marlene B. Ferido, Ian
Kendrich C. Fontanilla, and Jacqueline Rose M. Gutierrez. Science Grade 8
Learner's Module. Pasig City, Philippines: Department of Education, 2016.

Utoh, Abdul Ben Radjack M. Science Grade 8 Contextualized Learning Instruction

Kit (CLIK). Puerto Princesa City, Philippines: Department of Education
2020.

Website

Weebly.com.“Series and Parallel Circuits Worksheets-Printable

Worksheets.”AccessedJuly14,2021http://richendollar.weebly.com/uploads/1/5
/8/9/15898012/self_test_chapter_35.pdf.)

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