Download Series and parallel circuits

Types of
Circuits
Part 1: Series and Parallel Circuits
There are two main types of circuits: Series and Parallel
What do you notice is different between these two circuits?
For a DC current, what path does the current take?
Series
Parallel
Series Circuit
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The current flows through all of the components
What happens if one of the components break? (Example, the resistor breaks
into half)
○ The circuit becomes an open circuit, and stops working
Series
Parallel Circuit
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There are multiple pathways for the current
If one of the components break, will the circuit still work?
○ Yes! The other loop still works.
Parallel
Parallel Circuit
But what happens if there is a short circuit?
Then all of the current will flow through the wire instead of the components
Parallel
Combined
But most circuits are a combination of series and parallel circuits.
Can you see where the components are in series? Parallel?
Part 2: Special Snap Circuit Component
The Analog Meter can read voltage and/or
current.
When in series, it reads current.
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On the low setting, it can read up too
10 milliA. On the high setting, it can
read up to 1 A.
When in parallel, it reads voltage.
Analog Meter
Which one reads current? (Series)
Which one reads voltage? (Parallel)
Current
Voltage
Analog Meter