differences between series and parallel circuits
1. Connection of components: In a series circuit, the components are connected one after another in a single path. In contrast, in a parallel circuit, the components are connected side by side on multiple paths.
2. Current: In a series circuit, the current remains the same at all points in the circuit. However, in a parallel circuit, the current splits and flows through each component independently.
3. Voltage: In a series circuit, the total voltage is divided among the components. This means that the voltage across each component may vary depending on its resistance. In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each component remains the same as the source voltage.
4. Resistance: In a series circuit, the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances of the components. In a parallel circuit, the total resistance is less than the individual resistances of the components.
5. Brightness of components: In a series circuit, adding more bulbs or components will dim the existing ones as the total voltage is divided. In a parallel circuit, adding more bulbs will not affect the brightness of the existing ones as each bulb receives the full voltage.
6. Reliability: A series circuit is less reliable than a parallel circuit because if one component fails or breaks, it disrupts the flow of current throughout the entire circuit. In a parallel circuit, if one component fails, the others can continue to function independently.
7. Breaks in the circuit: In a series circuit, if there is a break in the circuit, such as one component getting disconnected, the entire circuit will stop working. In a parallel circuit, if there is a break in one branch, the other branches can still function.
8. Ease of installation: Parallel circuits are easier to install compared to series circuits, as each component can be connected separately and independently.
9. Applications: Series circuits are commonly used in applications where component failure should lead to the shutdown of the entire circuit, such as holiday lights or electronic gadgets. Parallel circuits are commonly used in applications where each component needs to function independently, such as household electrical wiring or street lighting.