Parallel Circuits
Learning Objectives
• Identify and draw parallel circuits.
• Describe how current and potential difference act in a parallel
circuit.
Keywords:
Series Circuits
Parallel Circuits
Current
Potential difference
Resistance
25 April 2025
Series and Parallel Circuits
Starter
1. Draw the circuit symbol of lamp, open switch, cell and battery
2. Draw a parallel circuit that contains two filament lamp and a cell
Series and Parallel Circuits
+
+ - -
- -
- Parallel Circuit
-
- Series Circuit -
-
- -
-
Now we’ve learned about series circuits in detail, let’s look at
parallel circuits in more depth.
Components in Parallel Circuits
In a parallel circuit, the components can be on different “loops”
or “branches”.
There can be as many components as you like on each loop.
Current in Parallel Circuits
+
- - 10A
-
5A
A-
A-
5A
A -
In a parallel circuit the current is shared between the loops.
We can also state this as: “in a parallel circuit the total current
is the sum of the current in each branch”
Current in Parallel Circuits
+
A switch on A switch on
either the blue
branch coloured wires
would turn would be able
off just the to turn both
lamp on lamps off at
that branch. once.
A break in one of the loops in a parallel circuit can allow current
to continue to flow through the other loops.
Obviously, if the break occurred in the blue part of the circuit
then current would stop everywhere!
Potential Difference in Parallel Circuits
V
+ 4V
V
4V
4V
V
For components in parallel, the potential difference across each
component is the same, and is the same as the power supply.
UAE Identity
Many UAE Community people use string lights for their family celebration. Identify what connection is in string
light?
1 minute to discuss with the person next to you, before I choose people at random.
Plenary - Learning Check: Quick Questions
In
… athe
parallel
sum of circuit
the current
total current
in eachis In
…the
a parallel
same, and
circuit,
thethe
same
potential
as the
equal
branch.
to… difference
power
in each
supply.
branch is…
Adding more resistors in parallel ??? The…less
total than
resistance
the resistance
of two resistors
of the in
Reduces
total resistance. smallest
parallel
resistor.
is…
A parallel circuit has 4 branches. The A parallel circuit has 3 branches. The
current leaving the5 Acell is 20 A. What cell provides 1.5
1.5V.
V What is the
is the current in each branch? potential difference in each branch?
Learning Check: In-Depth Questions
AFL - Parallel Circuits
Tasks:
1. Describe how a) current acts in a parallel circuit b) potential difference acts in
parallel circuit.
2. Draw a parallel circuit with 1 cell and 3 lamps, each on a different branch.
a) The total current is 12A. What would the current be in each branch?
b) The potential difference in one branch is 3V. What will it be in the other
branches?
c) What is the potential difference of the power supply?
3. A student builds a parallel circuit containing two branches, each with a resistor.
She then adds another resistor on a third branch.
a) What will happen to the total resistance of the circuit?
b) Explain why this happens.
c) The resistors are 100 Ω, 50 Ω, and 200 Ω. What can you say about the
total resistance?
4. Complete the table below to compare series and parallel circuits.
Type of Circuit Current Potential Difference Resistance
Series Adding more resistors…
Parallel Adding more resistors…
Answers
1. Describe how a) current acts in a parallel circuit b) potential difference acts in
parallel circuit.
a) in a parallel circuit the total current is the sum of the current in each
branch.
b) For components in parallel, the potential difference across each component
is the same, and is the same as the power supply.
2. Draw a parallel circuit with 1 cell and 3 lamps, each lamp on a different branch.
a) The total current is 12A. What would the current be in each branch? (12 A
÷ 3 =) 4A
b) The potential difference in one branch is 3V. What will it be in the other
branches? 3 V
c) What is the potential difference of the power supply? 3V
Answers
3. A student builds a parallel circuit containing two branches, each with a resistor.
She then adds another resistor on a third branch.
a) What will happen to the total resistance of the circuit? It will reduce.
b) Explain why this happens.
• Potential difference is the same across all the resistors (so adding the additional
resistor does not change p.d.) (1)
• There is now an additional pathway for current to flow through, so the total
current increases. (1)
• Therefore resistance decreases. (1)
c) The resistors are 100 Ω, 50 Ω, and 200 Ω. What can you say about the total
resistance? It will be less than 50 Ω
4. Complete the table below to compare series and parallel circuits.
Type of Circuit Current Potential Difference Resistance
Series Same everywhere Shared between Adding more resistors
components increases resistance
Parallel Split between Same across each loop and Adding more resistors
loops same as power supply decreases resistance
HW - Exam Style Questions
Please mark this in your book as
“exam questions”
1 a) State the type of circuit shown below [1 mark]
Parallel
b) Draw a switch in the circuit, placed where it could be used to turn off
both lamps at the same time. [2 marks]
• Correct symbol for a switch (1)
• Drawn anywhere in the highlighted part (1)
c) The circuit contains one 1.5 V cell. Show how 1.5 V cells could be
connected together to increase the potential difference to 4.5 V.
+
2 The two circuits below contain a 6V cell and two identical lamps.
Calculate the potential difference across each lamp when they
are:
a) Connected in series [1 mark] 3 V
b) Connected in parallel [1 mark] 6 V
3 The two circuits below contain a 6V cell, two identical lamps and three
ammeters.
a) Describe how the current measured by the three ammeters in the series
circuit would compare to the current measured by the three ammeters in
the parallel circuit. [2 marks]
• Series circuit: current would be the same at every ammeter. (1)
• Parallel circuit: current measured by the ammeters in the branches
would add up to the total current / current measured by the ammeter
next to the cell. (1)
A A
A A A
A
b) How would the reading on the ammeter next to the cell in the series
circuit compare to the reading on the ammeter next to the cell in the
parallel circuit? [2 marks]
• Current in the series circuit would be lower (or reverse argument) (1)
• Because resistance would be higher (1)
Exit Ticket
Success Criteria
• I can Identify and draw parallel circuits.
• I can describe how current and potential difference act in a parallel circuit.
• I can calculate resistance in a parallel circuit, use the concept of equivalent resistance
and explain why 1/RTOTAL = 1/R1 + 1/R2
• I can explain why adding more resistors decreases total resistance in a parallel circuit.
For each of the learning objectives, rate your progress towards completing them using
Red, Amber or Green.
• If you are green in every area then what has helped you / what have you done to make
you successful?
• If you are Amber or Red what do you need to know, do, or be helped with, in order to
make you green?
