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Series and Parallel

Part of the Electricity and Magnetism section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 23 of 51.

In series: the same current, the voltages add:

R=R1+R2\relax R = R_{1} + R_{2}

Resistors in series

In parallel: the same voltage, the currents add:

1R=1R1+1R2\frac{1}{R} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2}

Resistors in parallel

Two equal resistors in parallel: half the resistance of one.

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Challenge

A 6 Ω6\ \mathrm{\Omega } and a 3 Ω3\ \mathrm{\Omega } resistor are connected in parallel to a 12 V12\ \mathrm{V} battery. What current II does the battery give? Work out the combined resistance first.

Try it yourself

Physics diagram: circuit

Solve for II

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This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

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