Series circuits have a single pathway where the current is the same everywhere and the voltage is shared proportionally to resistance. Parallel circuits have multiple pathways where the current splits and combines, with each pathway receiving the full supply voltage. Series circuits have higher total resistance and draw less current, extending battery life, while parallel circuits have lower total resistance and draw more current, shortening battery life. A failure in one component of a series circuit breaks the entire circuit, while parallel circuits allow other components to still function if one fails.

1. Advantages and Disadvantages of
Series and Parallel Circuits

2. Series Circuit
• One pathway (circuit)
• Current (flow of
electric charge) same
anywhere in the
circuit
• Voltage (measure of
strength of electrical
power) shared in ratio
to resistance
Parallel Circuit
• Two or more pathways
• Current splits, passes
through pathways, and
adds up again
• Voltage across each
pathway equals supply
voltage

3. Series Circuit
• Resistance (reduction
of electrical current)
adds up, draws less
current = battery
(power source) lasts
longer
Parallel Circuit
• Total resistance less
than the least
resistance, current
drawn is less
= battery life short

4. Series Circuit
• One bulb (load) fuses,
circuit incomplete
(open or broken)
• Brightness of bulbs
less because P = IV
P (Power), I (Current), V (Voltage)
Parallel Circuit
• One bulb fuses, the
others will still work
• Brightness of bulbs
more

5. Similarities
• Converts electrical energy to light, heat,
sound, etc.