8.

4 Electric circuits

In this section we take a closer look at the

behavior of circuits and their components. We
examine what arrangements make components to
be in series or parallel. Moreover we will also
learn how to come up with expressions to
calculate the total resistance of series and parallel
circuits. When analysing these circuits we only
need to follow the direction of current.

8.4.1 Electric Circuit symbols

 The table below lists and explains the common circuit symbols.

Table 8.4. 1: Symbols representing circuit components.

8.5.1 Resistors in Series

 In a series circuit, current has one path to take; it can never go by any
other path. This is the simplest circuit to analyse. As shown below the
resistors R1-3 are all connected in series in the circuit.
 
 Fig 8.4. 1: Resistors in series

 Now from the previous section we stated that the sum of voltage drops
is equal to the sum of the voltage gains (emf).

V = V1 + V2 +V3

 From Ohm’s law I=V/R

V= RI

Fig 8.4. 2: Resistors in series

 IR= IR1 + IR2 + IR3

 We can factor out I since there is only on current flowing through the
circuit.
 IR= I(R1 + R2 + R3)
 Thus we divide both sides by I

R = R1 + R2 + R3

 Thus for resistors in series the total resistance R is equal to the

sum of all the resistors in series.

8.5.2 Resistors in parallel

 Studying the circuit below,

 The ammeters A1-4 measure the currents I1 , I2, I3 and I4 since no
current is seen to be leaving the circuit after branching into the

Fig 8.4. 3: Resistors in parallel

 Ammeters A2-4 it becomes obvious that I1 divides into I2, I3 and I4. Thus;
o I1 = I2 + I3 + I4.
 From Ohm’s law I=V/R

 Now for parallel combinations the voltage across each resistor in parallel
is the same, V1 in this case.

V/R=V1/R1 + V1/R2 + V1/R3

V/R = V1 (R1 + R2 + R3) (Factoring out V1)
Now from the circuit V=V1 (Sum of voltage gains = sum of voltage
drops)
V/R = V( R1 + R2 + R3)
1/R= 1 R1/ + 1/ R2 + 1/ R3 (dividing both sides by V)

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

 “For resistors in parallel the inverse of the total resistance is

equal to the sum of the inverses of the individual resistors making
up the parallel combination”.