IB Physics Revision Notes on Electric Circuits - part 2

Electrical Components

Series vs Parallel Circuits

Series circuit Parallel circuit

all the components are connected in one loop there are different branches for the current to
of wire flow through

the same current flows through all the current splits at a junction, and rejoins
components before returning to the cell / battery
I = I1 = I2 = I3 = …
I = I1 + I2 + I3 + …

voltage from the power source is shared every branch gets the full voltage from the
between components power source

V = V1 + V2 + V3 + …
V = V1 = V2 = V3 = …
 total resistance = sum of the individual 1 / total resistance = 1 / sum of the individual
resistances resistances

R = R1 + R2 + R3 + …
1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + …

work done by the power source = total work done by the resistors

Voltmeters & Ammeters

Voltmeters measure voltage / electric potential resistance.

- They are connected in parallel with the component.
- If the voltmeter has resistance, a current is drawn by the voltmeter, which increases the
total current from the power source.
- Voltmeters are manufactured with large resistance.
- Resistance of an ideal voltmeter = ∞ Ω

Ammeters measure current.

- They are connected in series with the component.
- If the ammeter has resistance, there is voltage across the ammeter, which decreases the
voltage across the component.
- Ammeters are manufactured with minimal resistance.
- Resistance of an ideal ammeter = 0 Ω
Power in a Circuit

Electrical power – rate of transfer of electrical energy

P = VI
P = I2R
P = V2 / R

P = power (W)
V = potential difference (V)
I = current (A)
R = resistance (Ω)

Kognity End of Section Questions

B.5.3a Series and parallel circuits

Question 1

I = I1 = I2 = I3 = 3 A
V = V1 + V2 + V3
V2 = 10 - 1 - 6 = 3 V
Question 2

I = I1 + I2 + I3 = 8 - 3 - 1 = 4 A
V = V1 = V2 = V3 = 5 V

Question 3

R = V / I, meaning that V must be minimised and I must be maximised, so we choose a parallel

circuit.
Hence, I pick option A
Question 4

V1 = 20 - 3.0 - 5.0 = 12 V

Question 5

I = IX + IY = 2.75 + 1.5 = 4.25 = 4.3 A (2 s.f.)

Question 6

1.5 V = 0.5 V + 1.0 V

When V = 0.5 V, I of X = 1.1 A
When V = 1.0 V, I of Y = 1.1 A
Hence, total current = 1.1 A

B.5.4 Circuits and power

Question 1

Increase in temperature indicates an increase in resistance.

P = V2 / R, and since voltage remains constant, it means that, as R increases, P decreases.
Hence, I pick option 1
Question 2

1/R = ¼ + ⅓ + 1/12 = ⅔
R = 1 / ⅔ = 1.5 Ω
P = I2R = 2.02 x 1.5 = 6.0 W
Hence, I pick option 1

Question 3

P = V2 / R
(220 / 110)2 = 4
Assuming that resistance remains constant, 60 / 4 = 15 W
Question 4

Once R3 is replaced with a resistor of 0 Ω, voltage across R3 = 0 V

As a result, total voltage supplied by power source = voltage across R1 = voltage across R2
P = V2 / R, so if V across R1 & R2 increases (at constant R), P increases for both R1 and R2.
Hence, I pick option 3