Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.
🔑Concepts
A series circuit is a circuit where all components are connected in a single loop, providing only one path for the electric current to flow.
Circuit diagrams use standard symbols to represent components: a cell is shown as a long and short parallel line , a bulb is a circle with an 'X' , and a switch is shown as two dots connected or disconnected by a line.
The current , measured in Amperes (), is the same at every point in a series circuit. If at the battery, it is at the bulb.
If any component in a series circuit breaks or is disconnected, the entire circuit is 'broken' and the current stops flowing, meaning no components will work.
Adding more cells in series increases the total voltage , which usually makes bulbs shine brighter. Conversely, adding more bulbs in series increases resistance, making the bulbs dimmer.
Voltage , also called potential difference, is measured in Volts () using a voltmeter connected in parallel, though the circuit itself is series.
📐Formulae
💡Examples
Problem 1:
A series circuit contains two cells and one bulb. What is the total voltage supplied to the bulb?
Solution:
Explanation:
In a series circuit, the voltages of the cells are added together to find the total voltage supplied to the components.
Problem 2:
An ammeter placed next to the battery in a series circuit reads . What would another ammeter read if it was placed between two bulbs further down the same circuit?
Solution:
Explanation:
In a series circuit, the current is the same at all points because there is only one path for the electricity to follow.
Problem 3:
If a series circuit has three bulbs and one bulb 'blows' (the filament breaks), what happens to the other two bulbs?
Solution:
The other two bulbs will turn off.
Explanation:
A 'blown' bulb creates a gap in the circuit. Since there is only one path in a series circuit, the break stops the flow of current entirely.