Series vs. Parallel Circuits - Questions 17 Help

Wiring two or more devices together in a circuit can be done in a variety of ways. The two most common ways are to wire the devices in a series circuit or as a parallel circuit. Whether the devices are in a series or a parallel arrangement affects the properties that the circuit would exhibit.

Series Circuits are characterized by a single pathway from the + to the - terminal of the battery. The bulbs are arranged in a consecutive fashion such that any charge that passes through the first bulb will also pass through the second and the third bulb. Each bulb offers a resistance to charge flow. And since charge passes through every bulb, more bulbs result in more overall circuit resistance. This increased resistance results in a decreased current.

Parallel circuits are quite different because the bulbs are all placed in an individual branch with each branch operating independent of the others. A charge making a loop around the circuit will only pass through a single bulb. The passage through that bulb results in a voltage drop that is equal to the voltage of the battery. And so regardless of which bulb a charge passes through, the voltage drop will always be the same amount - an amount equal to the battery's voltage. The curent thogh is dependent upon the bulbs resistance. A higher resistance bulb will hinder charge flow more and result in a branch current that is lower.