TAKS Objective 5 Circuits : Series vs Parallel. There are 3 basic circuit components: Current, Resistance and Voltage A current is the flow of electrons.

TAKS Objective 5

Circuits : Series vs Parallel

There are 3 basic circuit components: Current, Resistance and Voltage

A current is the flow of electrons through a wire or any conductor

Resistance is the tendency for a material to oppose the flow of electrons, changing electrical energy into thermal energy and light

Voltage is a quantitative expression of the potential (force or pressure) difference in electrical charge between two points in an electrical field

TAKS Formula Chart

According to your TAKS formula chart, what is a current equal to?

Current = Voltage or I = V

Resistance R

The unit for current is amperes (A)

The unit for voltage is volts (V)

The unit for resistance is ohms ( Ω )

What does it look like?

voltage

resistance

current

symbol for battery

Note: The long side of the battery symbol is always positive and the short side of the battery symbol is always negative

The flow of currents

Currents flow from the positive side of the battery to the negative side of the battery

There are two types of currents

Series

Parallel

Series Circuits

Series circuits are the most simple.

It only has one path for the current to travel.

Contains an energy source, a path, and a load (something for it to affect, like a lamp)

Can you think of an example of a series circuit?

Most Christmas lights have parallel circuits

Parallel Circuits

Parallel circuits provide more than one path for the current to travel.

Most circuits are parallel, since if one lamp goes out, the others can stay lit.

Can you think of an example of a parallel circuit?

What type of circuit is this?

Parallel

What type of circuit is this?

Series

Which circuit is series? Which circuit is parallel?

A B

Let’s try some practice problems?