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Electricity

Constructing circuits, and calculating in series circuits

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

Building a circuit from its diagram and checking it, what happens when one lamp fails in series or parallel, why resistance adds in series, and calculating current and potential difference in series.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Key term

What must you be able to do with a circuit diagram before you can build the circuit it shows?

Evaluation

Give one advantage of wiring household lights in parallel rather than in series.

Key term

Explain why adding a resistor in series increases the total resistance of a circuit.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What must you be able to do with a circuit diagram before you can build the circuit it shows?

    Model answer

    Recognise each of the symbols and follow the connections, so that every component ends up in the position the diagram gives it.

  2. 2

    How would you check that a circuit you have built matches the diagram you were given?

    Model answer

    Trace each loop from one terminal of the cell back to the other and confirm that every component sits in the branch and order the diagram shows.

  3. 3

    State one practical difference between a series and a parallel circuit when one lamp fails.

    Model answer

    In a series circuit all the lamps go out, while in a parallel circuit the remaining lamps stay lit.

  4. 4

    Give one advantage of wiring household lights in parallel rather than in series.

    Model answer

    Each light receives the full supply potential difference and can be switched on or off without affecting the others.

  5. 5

    Explain why adding a resistor in series increases the total resistance of a circuit.

    Model answer

    The charge has to pass through both resistors one after the other, so altogether it meets more opposition to its flow.

  6. 6

    Explain why adding a resistor in parallel decreases the total resistance of a circuit.

    Model answer

    It provides an extra path for the charge, so more current flows from the supply for the same potential difference.

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