There are two main types of electrical circuits: series circuits and parallel circuits. In a series circuit, the components are connected end to end so there is only one path for current to flow. If one component fails, the entire circuit is broken. In a parallel circuit, the components are connected side by side so there are multiple paths for current to flow. If one component fails, the others can still function. Series circuits have higher total resistance and the same current flowing through all components. Parallel circuits have lower total resistance and current can vary between paths.

1. CIRCUITS

2. TWO TYPES OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
TYPES OF CIRCUITS

3. Wires need to be drawn with a ruler and must not cross each other
TYPES OF CIRCUITS

4. •The components are connected end-to-end, one after
the other.
•They make a simple loop for the current to flow round.
•If one bulb ‘blows’ it breaks the whole circuit and all
the bulbs go out.
SERIES CIRCUITS

5. Electrons have only one path to flow through
SERIES CIRCUITS

6. There are multiple paths for the currents to flow
through
 More components = more resistance
 Increase resistance = decrease current (flow)
 Less current = less bright bulbs
 As voltage increases, current increases
SERIES CIRCUITS

7. •Resistors resists the flow of electrical currents
•Increased resistance will reduce the rate at which
charge flows
•Total resistance goes up with each resistor since
the current has must go through each resistor
•Total resistance=sum of all resistors in the series
SERIES CIRCUITS: RESISTORS

8. SERIES CIRCUITS: CURRENTS
•Current=amount of charge (flow of electrons)
• Like the flow of water
•A Current can’t just disappear/appear
• Since only one path if some electrons flow through
R1, then they have to continue flowing through R2
and R3
•Since the current is the same through the entire
circuit

9. SERIES CIRCUITS: VOLTAGE
•Voltage is the electric equivalent of water
pressure
•High Voltage=Faster Electrons
•Total Voltage= The sum of voltages across each
series resistors

10. PARALLEL CIRCUITS
•Most things are wired in parallel
•The more you plug in, the intensity
doesn’t decrease
•Increases the risk of fire

11. • The components are connected side by side.
• The current has a choice of routes (paths).
• If one bulb ‘blows’ there would still be a complete
circuit to the other bulb so it stays lit.
PARALLEL CIRCUITS

12. •Resistors added side by side
•The more paths, the less TOTAL resistance
PARALLEL CIRCUITS: RESISTORS

13. •All paths are used
• Charge divides up into all branches
•One branch can have more current than another
branch
•Total current=sum of current in each path
PARALLEL CIRCUITS: CURRENTS

14. •A charge only passes through a single resistor
•Voltage drop across the resistor that it chooses to
pass through must equal the voltage of the
battery
•Total voltage=the voltage across each individual
resistor
PARALLEL CIRCUITS: VOLTAGE

15. PARALLEL CIRCUITS
ADVANTAGES
1. The more devices (resistors) in a parallel circuit,
does not decrease the current (does not dim
bulbs).
2. If one resistor breaks (a bulb goes out) the rest
do not.
PROBLEMS
1. Current doesn’t stay the same for the entire
circuit
2. Energy is used up quicker
3. Total current increases=faster electrons=hotter
wire= possibility of fire

16. SERIES AND PARALLEL CHART

17. TWO TYPES OF CURRENTS
•Direct Current
•Solar cells and batteries
•Current only flows in one direction
•Alternating Current
•Current flows back and forth (alternates)
•Found in homes
•Generators