Series and Parallel Circuits Handout

H) Series and Parallel circuits

1) Series circuit - circuit that has only one current path

Reference Table Equations

a) I _T =

b) R _T =

c)

d) V _T =

Find the total current (I _T)

Answer :

2) Parallel Circuit - circuit in which each component has its own circular path

a) I _T =

For example If I ₁ = 2 amps, I ₂ = 3 amps I ₃ = 4 amps

Then …. I _T = _______amps

b)

*** Write in the correct voltages in the picture above

c)

*** Use the above equations to find the current going through the first and second resistor

I₁ = __________

I₂ = __________

****If the total current in this circuit is 18 amps, what is the current going through the last resistor?

****What’s R₃ ? _______________

Finding Total Resistance in a Parallel Circuit

Deriving an Equation for Total Resistance

Since I_T =

Then …

On Reference Table

R_T - total Resistance is also called

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Find the total Resistance for three resistors of 2 ohms, 5 ohms and 2 ohms connected in parallel.

                            1. Substitute

2. Find common denominator and solve