DC Circuit Analysis

Series circuit analysis

Parallel circuit analysis
Lesson Objectives:
• To compare the features of series and parallel circuit.
• To analyze series and parallel circuit.
Comparison between Series and Parallel
circuits: Series circuit Parallel circuit

It has only one path for the flow of electron. It has more than one path for the flow of current
Current throughout the circuit remain same: Current divides among the path such that sum of the
I total = I1 = I2 = I3 ………. current in each path is equal to the source current:
I total = I1 + I2 + I3 …..
Voltages divided among the components such that Voltages remain same across every component such
sum of voltages across each component is equal to the that:
battery voltages. Vtotal = V 1 = V 2 = V3 ……
Vtotal = V1 + V2 + V3 …….

Total resistance of the circuit is sum of resistance of Reciprocal of total resistance of the circuit is sum of
all the components: the reciprocal of all the resistance:
R total = R1 + R2 + R3 ….. 1 / Rtotal = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2 + 1 / R3 …
Series Circuit Analysis:

Resistance of bulb 1 = R1 = 10 ohms

Resistance of bulb 2 = R2 = 10 ohms
Total resistance/ combined resistance = R1 + R2
= 10 + 10 = 20 ohms

Battery voltage = 9V
Current = V / Rtotal = 9 / 20 = 0.45 A

Voltages across bulb 1 = I R1 = 0.45 * 10 = 4.5 V

Voltages across bulb 2 = I R2 = 0.45 * 10 = 4.5 V
Parallel Circuit Analysis:
Battery Voltages = V = 9V
Voltage across Bulb 1 = 9 V
Voltage across Bulb 2 = 9 V
Voltage across Bulb 3 = 9 V

Resistance of Bulb 1 = 10 ohms

Resistance of Bulb 2 = 10 ohms
Resistance of Bulb 3 = 10 ohms
Combined resistance :
1/Rtotal = 1/10 + 1/10 + 1/10 = 3 /10
Rtotal = 10 / 3 = 3.33 ohms

Current across R1 = V / R1 = 9 / 10 = 0.9A

Current across R2 = V / R2 = 9 / 10 = 0.9A
Current across R3 = V / R3 = 9 / 10 = 0.9A
Total Current = 0.9 + 0.9 + 0.9 = 2.7 A