After
reading this section you will be able to do
the following:
Explain
what a series/parallel circuit is and what components are needed
to complete it.
Construct
a series/parallel circuit.
When we have a circuit in which some
of the components are in series and others are in parallel, we
have a series/parallel circuit.
Try building a
series/parallel circuit
Notice in this series/parallel circuit
that the resistors R1, the switch, the battery, and the ammeter
are in series with each other while resistors R2 and R3 are in
parallel with each other. We might also say that the R2/R3 combination
is in series with the rest of the components in this circuit.
This is a very common circuit configuration. Many circuits have
various combinations of series and parallel components.
If we apply Ohm’s law to any
of these series or parallel circuits, we can calculate the current
flowing at any point in the circuits.
Review
Some circuits
contain series and parallel components. These are called series/parallel
circuits.
