All Flashcards
What happens to the total current in a parallel circuit if one branch is removed?
The total current decreases because there is one less path for current to flow.
What happens to the total resistance in a series circuit if one resistor is added?
The total resistance increases because the total resistance is the sum of individual resistances.
What happens to the current through a resistor if the voltage across it increases?
The current through the resistor increases, according to Ohm's Law (V=IR).
What happens to the total current supplied by a battery if the total resistance of a circuit increases?
The total current decreases, according to Ohm's Law (I=V/R).
What happens when the current entering a junction is greater than the current leaving it?
This violates Kirchhoff's Junction Rule and the principle of charge conservation, which is not possible in a closed circuit.
What is Kirchhoff's Junction Rule?
The total current entering a junction must equal the total current leaving that junction.
Define current in a series circuit.
The current is the same at all points in a series circuit.
Define voltage in a series circuit.
The sum of the voltage drops across each resistor equals the voltage of the battery.
Define resistance in a series circuit.
The total resistance of a series circuit is the sum of the individual resistances:
Define voltage in a parallel circuit.
The voltage drop across each branch is the same and equal to the battery's voltage.
Define current in a parallel circuit.
The total current is the sum of the currents in each branch.
Define resistance in a parallel circuit.
The reciprocal of the total resistance is the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances:
What are the key differences between series and parallel circuits regarding current?
Series: Current is the same throughout. | Parallel: Current splits and recombines; total current is the sum of branch currents.
What are the key differences between series and parallel circuits regarding voltage?
Series: Voltage drops add up to the battery voltage. | Parallel: Voltage is the same across each branch.
How does adding resistors affect total resistance in series vs. parallel circuits?
Series: Adding resistors increases total resistance. | Parallel: Adding resistors decreases total resistance.