Lesson 3

Simple Circuits
 Focus Question

How can you build a simple circuit to fit

the needs of a given situation?
 New Vocabulary

series circuit
equivalent resistance
voltage divider
parallel circuit
 Review Vocabulary

resistance: the measure of how strongly an

object or material impedes the flow of electric
charge produced by a potential difference; equal
to the potential difference divided by the current
 A River Model
You can use a mountain river to model an
electric circuit. Some of the similarities are
shown in the table below.
Mountain River Electric Circuit

Water flows downhill. Positive charges move from high

potential to low potential.

Can have one or more streams Can have one or more current paths

Large rocks and other obstacles that hinder Resistors

water flow

Solar energy evaporates groundwater, causing Battery moves charges from low potential
clouds to form; clouds precipitate on the to high potential.
mountaintops.
 Series Circuits

A circuit in which there is only one path for the

current is called a series circuit.
 Series Circuits

• The current is the same through the entire series

circuit.
• In an electric circuit, the increase in voltage
provided by the energy source (ΔVsource) is equal to
the sum of voltage drops across resistors.
ΔVsource = ΔV1 + ΔV2 +… = IR1 + IR2 + …
• Thus, the current through the circuit is:
 Series Circuits

• The same current would exist in the circuit with a

singe resistor (R) that has a resistance equal to the
sum of the resistances of the individual resistors.
• Such a resistance is called the equivalent resistance
of the circuit. The equivalent resistance of resistors
in series equals the sum of the individual resistances
of the resistors.
Equivalent Resistance
for Resistors in Series
• Notice that the equivalent resistance is greater than
that of any individual resistor.
 Series Circuits

A voltage divider is a
series circuit used to
produce a source of
potential difference that
is less than the potential
difference across the
battery.
 Series Circuits

• Voltage dividers often are used with sensors, such as

photoresistors.
• The resistance of a photoresistor depends upon the
amount of light that strikes it and can be used in a
light meter.
• In this device, the
potential difference
is converted to a
measurement of
illuminance.
 KNOWN UNKNOWN
Series Circuits
Vsource = 15 V R2 = 22.0 Ω I=?
R1 = 15.0 Ω R3 = 47.0 Ω V3 = ?
Use with Example Problem 1.
Problem A SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
Suppose 15 V are applied across three • Determine the equivalent resistance.
resistors in series (15.0 Ω, 22.0 Ω, and 47.0
R  R1  R2  R3
Ω). Determine the current in the circuit and
the potential difference across the 47.0-Ω  15.0   22.0   47.0   84.0 
resistor.
• Use the relationship among potential difference,
Response current, and total resistance to find the current
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM through the circuit and the potential difference
• Draw a circuit diagram. across R3.
• List the knowns and unknowns.
Vsource 15 V
I    0.18 A
R 84.0 
I R1
V3  I R3  0.18 A(47.0 )  8.5 V
R2
EVALUATE THE ANSWER
R3 • Current is in amperes and potential difference is in
volts, so the units are correct.
Series Circuits
KNOWN UNKNOWN
Use with Example Problem 1. Vsource = 15 V R1 = 15.0 Ω P=? P2 = ?
Problem B I = 0.18 A R2 = 22.0 Ω P1 = ? P3 = ?
Suppose 15 V are applied across three
resistors in series (15.0 Ω, 22.0 Ω, and R3 = 47.0 Ω
47.0 Ω), as in the previous problem. SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
Demonstrate that the total power is equal to • Use the relationship among power, potential
the sum of the individual power amounts difference, and current to find the power for the
used in the three resistors. whole circuit.
Response P  IV  0.18 A15.0 V  2.7 W
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM
• Draw a circuit diagram. • Use the relationship among power, current, and
• List the knowns and unknowns. I comes resistance for each resistor.
from the previous problem. P  I 2R
P1  0.18 A 15.0   0.49 W
2

I R1
P2  0.18 A 22.0   0.71 W
2
R2
P3  0.18 A 47.0   1.5 W
2
R3
 KNOWN UNKNOWN

Series Circuits Vsource = 15 V R1 = 15.0 Ω P=? P2 = ?

Use with Example Problem 1.
Problem B
Suppose 15 V are applied across three
resistors in series (15.0 Ω, 22.0 Ω, and 47.0
Ω), as in the previous problem. Demonstrate
that the total power is equal to the sum of
the individual power amounts used in the
three resistors.
Response
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM
• Draw a circuit diagram.
• List the knowns and unknowns. I comes
from the previous problem.
I R1
R2
R3
I = 0.18 A R2 = 22.0 Ω P1 = ? P3 = ?
R3 = 47.0 Ω
SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
• Use the relationship among power, potential
difference, and current to find the power for the
whole circuit.
P  IV  0.18 A15.0 V  2.7 W
• Use the relationship among power, current, and
resistance for each resistor.
P1  0.49 W, P2  0.71 W, P3  1.5 W
• Add the individual powers.
Ptotal  P1  P2  P3
 0.49 W  0.71 W  1.5 W  2.7 W
EVALUATE THE ANSWER
• The total power equals the sum of the power for
the individual resistors, as expected.
 KNOWN UNKNOWN

Series Circuits Vsource = 12.0 V V1, before = ? V2, before = ?

R1 = R2 = 1.5×106 Ω V1, after = ? V2, after = ?
Use with Example Problem 2. RV = 1.0×107 Ω
Problem SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
A voltage divider consisting of two 1.5-MΩ • Before the voltmeter is connected, the potential
resistors is connected to a 12.0-V source. difference across each resistor will be half the supply
Determine the potential difference across each potential difference, or 6.0 V.
resistor before and after a voltmeter is • When the voltmeter is connected, it acts as a parallel
connected, assuming the voltmeter’s resistance:
resistance is 1.0×107 Ω. 1 1 1
 
Response R 1.5106  1.0107 
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM R  1.3106 
• Draw a circuit diagram. • Find the voltage drop across the parallel
• List the knowns and combination.
unknowns.
 V 
V  I R   source R
R  R 
 1 


12.0 V1.3 M  5.6 V
 1.5 M  1.3 M
 KNOWN UNKNOWN

Series Circuits Vsource = 12.0 V V1, before = ? V2, before = ?

R1 = R2 = 1.5×106 Ω V1, after = ? V2, after = ?
Use with Example Problem 2. RV = 1.0×107 Ω
Problem SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
A voltage divider consisting of two 1.5-MΩ • Before the voltmeter is connected, the potential
resistors is connected to a 12.0-V source. difference across each resistor will be half the supply
Determine the potential difference across each potential difference, or 6.0 V.
resistor before and after a voltmeter is • When the voltmeter is connected, it acts as a parallel
connected, assuming the voltmeter’s resistance.
resistance is 1.0×107 Ω. R||  1.3106 
Response • Find the potential difference across the parallel
combination.
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM
• Draw a circuit diagram. V||  5.6 V
• List the knowns and • Use the loop rule to find the potential difference
unknowns. across the first resistor.
V1  Vsource  V||  12.0 V  5.6 V  6.4 V
EVALUATE THE ANSWER
• Potential difference is in volts, so the units are
correct.
 Parallel Circuits

A circuit in which there are

several current paths is called a
parallel circuit.
 Parallel Circuits

• In the mountain river model, such a circuit is

illustrated by multiple paths for the water over a
waterfall.
• Some paths might have a large flow of water,
while others might have a small flow.
• The sum of the flows, however, is equal to the
total flow of water over the falls.
• In addition, regardless of which channel the water
flows through, the drop in height is the same.
 Parallel Circuits

• Similarly, in a parallel electric circuit, the total current

is the sum of the currents through each path, and the
potential difference across each path is the same.
• The current through each resistor in a parallel electric
circuit depends upon the individual resistances.
• The branches of a parallel circuit are independent of
each other. The current through each resistor depends
only upon the potential difference across it and its
resistance.
 Parallel Circuits

• The total current is the sum of the current in the

branches.
I = I1 + I2 + …

• The total current is also equal to the potential

difference across the source divided by the equivalent
resistance (R).
 Parallel Circuits

• If the previous equations are combined, the result is a

relationship between potential difference, the
individual resistances, and the equivalent resistances.

• V can be canceled to obtain the relationship between

the equivalent resistance and the individual
resistances.

Equivalent Resistance
For Resistors in Parallel
 Parallel Circuits

• Placing more resistors in parallel always decreases

the equivalent resistance of a circuit.
• The resistance decreases because each new resistor
provides an additional path for current, thereby
increasing the total current while the potential
difference remains unchanged.
Parallel Circuits KNOWN UNKNOWN
Vbattery = 120.0 V Ibattery = ? Req = ?
Use with Example Problem 3.
RA = 50.0 Ω IA = ?
Problem
Four resistors, 50.0 Ω, 40.0 Ω, 30.0 Ω, and RB = 40.0 Ω IB = ?
20.0 Ω, are connected with a parallel circuit RC = 30.0 Ω IC = ?
across a 120.0-V battery. Find the current
through each branch of the circuit, the RD = 20.0 Ω ID = ?
equivalent resistance of the circuit, and the SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
current through the battery. • The potential difference is the same across all
Response four resistors.
• Use the relationship among potential
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM
difference, current, and resistance.
• Draw and label a circuit diagram.
• List the knowns and unknowns. V
I 
R
I 120 V 120 V
IA IB IC ID IA   2.4 A IC   4.0 A
50.0 Ω 30.0 Ω
RA RB RC RD 120 V 120 V
IB   3.0 A ID   6.0 A
40.0 Ω 20.0 Ω
Parallel Circuits

KNOWN UNKNOWN
Use with Example Problem 3.
Vbattery = 120.0 V Ibattery = ? Req = ?
Problem
Four resistors, 50.0 Ω, 40.0 Ω, 30.0 Ω, and 20.0 RA = 50.0 Ω IA = 2.4 A
Ω, are connected with a parallel circuit across a
RB = 40.0 Ω IB = 3.0 A
120.0-V battery. Find the current through each
branch of the circuit, the equivalent resistance RC = 30.0 Ω IC = 4.0 A
of the circuit, and the current through the
RD = 20.0 Ω ID = 6.0 A
battery.
SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
Response
• Determine the equivalent resistance.
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM
• Draw and label a circuit diagram. 1 1 1 1 1
   
• List the knowns and unknowns. Req RA RB RC RD
1 1 1 1
I    
IA IB IC ID 50.0 Ω 40.0 Ω 30.0 Ω 20.0 Ω
 0.1283 Ω1
RA RB RC RD
Req  7.79 Ω
 KNOWN UNKNOWN
Parallel Circuits
Vbattery = 120.0 V Ibattery = ? Req = 7.79 Ω
RA = 50.0 Ω IA = 2.4 A
Use with Example Problem 3.
RB = 40.0 Ω IB = 3.0 A
Problem
Four resistors, 50.0 Ω, 40.0 Ω, 30.0 Ω, and 20.0 RC = 30.0 Ω IC = 4.0 A
Ω, are connected with a parallel circuit across a RD = 20.0 Ω ID = 6.0 A
120.0-V battery. Find the current through each
branch of the circuit, the equivalent resistance SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
of the circuit, and the current through the • The current through the battery is equal to
battery. the potential difference across the battery
Response divided by the equivalent resistance.
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM
• Draw and label a circuit diagram. Vbattery 120.0 V
• List the knowns and unknowns.  battery    15.4 A
Req 7.79 Ω

I EVALUATE THE ANSWER

IA IB IC ID • Resistance is measured in ohms and current is
measured in amperes, so the units are correct.
RA RB RC RD • The sum of the currents in the branches equals the
current through the battery.
 Kirchhoff’s Rules

• Gustav Robert Kirchhoff was a

German physicist who formulated
two rules that govern electric
circuits:
• The loop rule
• The junction rule
• The loop rule describes electric
potential differences and is based on
the law of conservation of energy.
• An analogy of this rule is walking
around a side of a hill in a loop.
 Kirchhoff’s Rules

• It states that the sum of

increases in electric
potential around a loop in
an electric circuit equals the
sum of decreases in electric
potential around that loop.
• For an application, picture
an electric current traveling
clockwise around the red
loop in the bottom figure.
 Kirchhoff’s Rules

Electric potential increases by 9V

as this charge travels through the
battery, and electric potential
drops by 5V as this charge travels
through resistor 1.
 Kirchhoff’s Rules

• By the loop rule, the increases in electric potential

around a loop must equal the decreases in electric
potential around that loop. Therefore, the drop in
electric potential across resistor 2 must be
9V – 5V = 4V.
• Note that resistor 3 does not affect our answer
because resistor 3 is not a part of the loop
that includes the battery, resistor 1, and
resistor 2.
 Kirchhoff’s Rules

• The junction rule describes currents and is based on

the law of conservation of charge.
• Recall the law of conservation of charge states that
charge can neither be created or destroyed.
• This means that, in
an electric circuit,
the total current into
a section of that
circuit must equal
the total current out
of that same section.
 Kirchhoff’s Rules

• A junction is a location where three or more wires are

connected together.
• According to Kirchhoff’s rule, the sum of currents
entering a junction is equal to the sum of currents
leaving that junction. Otherwise, charge would build
up at the junction.
• In the figure, I1 = I2 + I3
at junction A, and
I2 + I3 = I1 at junction B.
 Quiz

1. Which type of circuit is shown?

A series CORRECT

B resistant

C parallel

D nonsequential
 Quiz

2. What is the formula for equivalent resistance for

this circuit?

B R = R1

C R = R1 + R2 CORRECT

D R = R2
 Quiz

3. Which term describes this

circuit?

A parallel circuit

B voltage divider
CORRECT
C nonfunctioning

D incomplete
 Quiz

4. What type of circuit is shown?

A parallel CORRECT

B series

C Kirchhoff’s

D incomplete
 Quiz

5. What is the total current entering junction B?

A I2

B I3

C I2 + I3 CORRECT

D 1/(I2+ I3)