Series and parallel circuits are two basic types of electrical circuits with distinct characteristics. The main difference between them lies in the way components (such as resistors, capacitors, or bulbs) are connected to each other and how the current flows through the circuit.
Series Circuit:
In a series circuit, components are connected end-to-end, forming a single path for the current to flow. This means that the current passing through one component will flow through all the other components in the circuit. Key features of series circuits include:
Single Path: There is only one path for the current to flow from the positive terminal of the power source to the negative terminal.
Same Current: The current remains the same throughout the entire circuit. This is because there are no branches for the current to divide into.
Voltage Divides: The total voltage of the power source is divided among the components in the circuit. The voltage across each component adds up to the total voltage of the source.
The total resistance in a series circuit is the sum of all the individual resistances in the circuit. This can be represented by the formula:
Total Resistance (R_total) = R1 + R2 + R3 + ... (for n resistors in series)
Parallel Circuit:
In a parallel circuit, components are connected in such a way that they share the same two connection points (the same two nodes), but they have their own separate paths for the current to flow. Key features of parallel circuits include:
Multiple Paths: There are multiple paths for the current to flow, as each component has its own direct connection to the power source.
Different Currents: The current is divided among the branches according to the resistance of each branch. Components with lower resistance will have higher currents flowing through them.
Same Voltage: All components in a parallel circuit have the same voltage across them. This is because they share the same two nodes, which are at the same voltage potential.
The total resistance in a parallel circuit can be calculated differently depending on the number of resistors in parallel. For two resistors in parallel, the formula is:
Total Resistance (R_total) = 1 / ((1/R1) + (1/R2))
In summary, the primary difference between series and parallel circuits is the way components are connected and how the current flows. Series circuits have one path for the current, while parallel circuits have multiple paths.