Why are bulbs in a house connected in parallel rather than in series? If it is the current flowing through a body that determines how series an electric shock will be, why do we see warning of high voltage rather than high current near electric equipment?
Bulbs in a house are connected in parallel rather than in series for several reasons:
1. Voltage drop: If bulbs are connected in series, the total voltage across each bulb will be divided, causing a non-uniform brightness among the bulbs. They would be dimmer as the voltage across them would be less. In parallel connections, all bulbs receive the same voltage, ensuring equal brightness.
2. Independence: In series connection, if one bulb burns out or is turned off, the circuit is interrupted, and all other bulbs in the series would stop working. In parallel connections, each bulb operates independently, so if one fails, the others continue to function.
3. Load addition: In parallel connections, it is easier to add or remove loads without affecting the rest of the circuit. This enables flexibility in using multiple appliances or lighting fixtures in the household.
As for the warning of high voltage rather than high current near electric equipment, it's because high voltage is often the primary hazard. High voltage can cause electric shock by inducing a large current through a person's body. The human body has a certain resistance, and according to Ohm's law (Voltage = Current x Resistance), a higher voltage can cause a higher current to flow through the body when someone accidentally comes into contact with the source.
Warning people about high voltage implies that there is a risk of high current flow if contact is made, which could be dangerous or even lethal.