Remember, in a series circuit all of the current flows through all of the components.


In a series circuit, *all* the current flows through every component, so the more resistors you add, the **larger** the total resistance of the circuit.


In a parallel circuit, the more components you add, the more pathways you will have for current to run through.


In a parallel circuit, the more components you add, the more current you can have because you have more pathways for it to run through. This means that if you add more resistors, you will **lower** the total resistance of the circuit.


No, resistors always work to add resistance into a circuit.


Remember if you **increase** the current $I$, you **decrease** resistance $R$.


Remember that if you **increase** the current $I$, you **decrease** resistance $R$. In this case, increasing the current would also increase the resistance.



To find the total resistance, you need to add the resistances together:  $2\Omega+2\Omega=4\Omega$ 
 


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R1 has a current of  $4A$  and a potential difference of  $2V$ . To calculate the resistance, we use  **  $R1=\frac{V}{I}=\frac{2}{4}=0.5\Omega$. 


R2 has a current of $2A$and a potential difference of  $2V$ . To calculate the resistance, we use  $R2=\frac{V}{I}=\frac{2}{2}=1\Omega$ .



In a parallel circuit, to find the total current we have to add the current of each of the branches.  So  $I_{total}=4A+2A=6A$ 
 


If the voltage of the circuit is $2V$ and the current is $6A$ what is the resistance if $R=\frac{V}{I}$? 


We know that the voltage of the circuit is $2V$, and the current is   $6A$ . To find the total resistance we use  $R_{total}=\frac{V}{I}=\frac{2}{6}=0.33\Omega$ .


If you add a resistor, what happens to the total resistance? With that in mind, is this a 'series' or 'parallel' circuit?


The graph shows that as you add a resistor, the total resistance increases. So this represents the resistance in a **series** circuit.


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This lesson compares the total resistance in a series circuit and a parallel circuit. Adding resistors to a parallel circuit will reduce the total resistance, unlike in series circuits.

Total Resistance in Series and Parallel Circuits

Circuit Diagrams

Diodes and LEDs

Series Circuits

Parallel Circuits

Ammeters in Series

Electrical to Thermal Dissipation

E = IVt

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