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What makes a series circuit a series circuit?
There is only one path for the current to flow
What makes a parallel circuit a parallel circuit?
There are multiple paths for the current to flow
In an ideal circuit, what happens to the brightness of a light bulb as you increase the resistance of the light bulb?
Its brightness decreases (it gets dimmer)
What is the name for a material that allows charges to move easily?
What is the unit for current (I)?
Amperes (A)
What is the equation for the Equivalent Resistance of a series circuit?
Req = R1 + R2 + ...
What is the equation for the Equivalent Resistance of a parallel circuit?
1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ...
In an ideal circuit, what happens to the brightness of a light bulb as you increase the voltage of the battery?
Its brightness increases (it gets brighter)
Wood, rubber, and plastic are good examples of what?
Insulators
What is the unit for resistance (R)?
Ohms (Ω)
The total current in a series circuit is given by the equation:
Itotal = Vt/Req
How can you determine the current through a specific resistor in a series circuit?
The current is the same throughout a series circuit
The total current in a parallel circuit is given by the equation:
Itotal = Vt/Req
How can you determine the current through a specific resistor in a parallel circuit?
Each loop gets all the voltage so the current depends on the individual resistance of the resistor
In an ideal circuit with a fuse, what happens to the brightness of a light bulb when you exceed the maximum current of the fuse?
What is the name for a material with zero resistance?
What is the unit for capacitance (C)?
Farads (F)
Yes, voltage is shared across all resistors in series so we calculate individual voltage drops using V = IR
Do you need the current to determine the voltage drop across a resistor in a parallel circuit? Why or why not?
No, loops in a parallel circuit are independent of each other so each loop gets all the voltage, which means each resistor on its own loop gets all the voltage
In an ideal circuit, what happens to the brightness of a light bulb when you add an additional identical light bulb in series?
What happens if you add one in parallel?
Series: Both light bulbs decrease in brightness (they both get dimmer)
Parallel: Both light bulbs stay the same brightness as the original (the brightness doesn't change)
What happens to the resistance in a wire when you double the length of the wire? (Be specific)
The resistance in the wire doubles
R = ρ(L/A)
What is the unit for electric power (P)?
Watts (W)
Draw and label a series circuit matching the description below:
A series circuit with two 9 V batteries, two 5 Ω resistors, and one 10 Ω light bulb.
See board
Draw and label a parallel circuit matching the description below:
A parallel circuit with one 9 V battery, one 5 Ω light bulb, and one 10 Ω light bulb. Each light bulb should be on its own loop. Include a switch that will only turn off the 10 Ω light bulb.
See board
In an ideal circuit, what happens to the brightness of a light bulb when you add an additional identical battery in series?
What happens if you add one in parallel?
Series: The light bulb increases in brightness
Parallel: The light bulb stay the same brightness as before (the brightness doesn't change)
What happens to the resistance in a wire when you cut the cross sectional area of the wire in half? (Be specific)
The resistance in the wire doubles
R = ρ(L/A)
What is the unit for energy consumption (W)?
kilowatt-hours (kWh)