why does current slow down in a series than when in a parallel?
It does not slow down. Current travels at the same velocity.
why is it lower?
i have had conflicting views on it.
1) it stays the same because current is always the same
or
2) it is lower b/c there is a direct relationship btw current and voltage and in a parallel circuit, the voltage is higher so so must be the current
When resistors are connected in series, the current flowing through each resistor is the same. In contrast, when resistors are connected in parallel, the current flowing through each resistor can vary.
To understand why the current slows down in a series circuit compared to a parallel circuit, let's consider the behavior of electrons in each case.
In a series circuit, resistors are connected one after the other, forming a single pathway for the current to flow. As the current passes through each resistor, it encounters resistance, which impedes its flow. This causes the electrons to lose energy as they move through each resistor. Consequently, the current experiences a decrease in magnitude or slows down.
However, in a parallel circuit, the resistors are connected in branches that provide separate pathways for the current. Each branch acts as an independent current pathway, allowing more current to flow overall. When resistors are arranged in parallel, the total resistance across the circuit decreases compared to any individual resistor's resistance. According to Ohm's Law (I = V/R), a smaller resistance will result in a larger current, assuming the voltage remains the same. Therefore, the current flowing through each resistor in a parallel circuit can be higher than the current flowing through a single resistor in a series circuit.
In summary, in a series circuit, the current slows down due to encountering resistance in each resistor along the pathway. In a parallel circuit, the current is divided into different branches, allowing more current to flow overall, resulting in a higher current compared to a series circuit.