PHY 193

Resistors In Series And Parallel

Learning Outcome

1) To determine the combination of resistors

in series and/or parallel
2) To calculate the equivalent resistance for
the combination

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Resistors In Series
The symbol of resistor in an electrical circuit:

Two resistors are said to be in series whenever the same

current physically flows through both of the resistors.

I I R 1 R 2
R R R
I 1
1 1

R 2

R R I I
I 2 2
I

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Characteristics Of Resistors In Series
 The same current I flows through each resistor
where
I  I1  I 2  I 3

 Assuming that the connecting wires have no

resistance,
resistance the total potential difference, V is given by

V  V1  V2  V3
… (1)
 From the definition of resistance, thus
V1  IR1 ; V2  IR2 ; V3  IR3 ; V  IReq
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Characteristics Of Resistors In Series
Substituting for V1, V2 , V3 and V in the eq. (1) gives
I Req  I R 1  I R 2  I R 3

Req  R1  R2  R3 … (2)

where R eq : equivalent resistance

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Resistors In Parallel
Two resistors are said to be in parallel when the different
current flows through both of the resistors.
R3 I I3
I3
I1 I2
V3
I2 R2 R2
V1 V3 R3
V R1 V2
V2
I1 R1

V1 I
I I
V

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Characteristics Of Resistors In Parallel
 There same potential difference, V across each resistor
where
V  V1  V2  V3
 The charge is conserved,
conserved therefore the total current I in the
circuit is given by

I  I1  I 2  I 3
… (3)
 From the definition of resistance, thus
V V V V
I1  ; I 2  ; I 3  ; I 
R1 R2 R3 Req
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Characteristics Of Resistors In Parallel
Substituting for I1, I2 , I3 and I in the eq. (3) gives
V V V V
  
Req R1 R2 R3

1 1 1 1
  
Req R1 R2 R3 … (4)

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Example 1:
I 1
R 1

R 3


I 3
I 2 R 2
I 3
R 4

a) Are R3 and R4 in series and why?

- Yes because the same current flows through both of
the resistors.
b) Which resistors are in parallel?
- R1 and R3 AND R2 and R3 INTAN SYAFFINAZZILLA
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Example 2:
4.0  12 

2 .0 

8.0 V

Calculate:
a) The equivalent resistance of the circuit,
b) The current passes through the 12  resistor,
c) The potential difference across 4.0  resistor,
The internal resistance of the battery may be ignored.
Ans: Req  1.78  I 2  0.50 A V1  2.0 V INTAN SYAFFINAZZILLA
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Exercise:
20 
A

10 
10  5.0 

5.0 
B

For the circuit above, calculate the effective resistance between

the points A and B.

Ans: Req  7.14 

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References:
 Young, Freedman (2003), University Physics, 9th Edition,
Pearson Addison Wesley
 Giambattista, Richardson, Richardson (2007), College
Physics, 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill International Edition
 Cheong Foon Choong (2008), Pre-U Text STPM Physics
Volume 1, Pearson Longman
 Frederick J. Bueche, Eugene Height (1988), College
Physics, 10th Edition, McGraw Hill
 Arthur Beiser (1988), Applied Physics, 4th Edition,
McGraw Hill
 Cheong Foon Choong (2008), Q & A STPM Physics
(960) Paper 2 (Volume 1), Pearson Longman
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