Series and Parallel Circuits

Series and Parallel Circuits

Series Circuits

Components are connected one after another in a single path.

• Same current flows through all components
• Voltage is divided among components
• If one component breaks, the whole circuit stops working

Voltage Rule: $V_{total} = V_1 + V_2 + V_3$

Resistance Rule: $R_{total} = R_1 + R_2 + R_3$

Parallel Circuits

Components are connected across separate branches.

• Same voltage across all branches
• Current is divided among branches
• If one component breaks, others keep working

Current Rule: $I_{total} = I_1 + I_2 + I_3$

Ohm's Law

$V = IR$

Where V = voltage (volts), I = current (amps), R = resistance (ohms)