Series & Parallel Circuits

Series circuits

• Components in series are joined one after another in a single loop
• The same current passes through each component
• The potential difference of the supply is shared between the components, in proportion to their resistances
• The total resistance is the sum:

$$R_{\text{total}} = R_1 + R_2$$

• Adding resistors in series increases the total resistance, because the charge must pass through each one in turn, so the current falls