The difference between parallel and series

The most intuitive difference is the different characteristics of these two connection methods. The four batteries are connected in series with 6V, while the parallel connection is still only 1.5V.

1. Series circuit: a circuit composed of components connected sequentially one by one. As shown in the figure, the characteristic is that the current flowing through one component also flows through another. For example: small colored lights in festivals. In the series circuit, when the switch is closed, the two bulbs emit light at the same time, and when the switch is off, both bulbs are extinguished, indicating that the switch in the series circuit can control all electrical appliances.

2. Parallel circuit: a circuit composed of components connected in parallel, as shown in the figure, characterized by: the current of the main road is divided into two parts at the branch, and flows through each component in the two branches. For example: the connection of various electrical appliances in the home. In a parallel circuit, the switch on the main road is closed, the switch on each branch is closed, the light bulb will glow, the switch on the main road is open, the switch on each branch is closed, the light bulb will not emit light, indicating that the switch on the main road can be controlled Throughout the circuit, the switch on the branch can only control this branch.

3. Features of series circuit and parallel circuit: In the series circuit, since there is only one path of current, the current flowing from the positive pole of the power supply will flow through each consumer in turn one by one, and finally return to the negative pole of the power supply. Therefore, in a series circuit, if one of the consumers is damaged or disconnected at a certain place, the entire circuit will become an open circuit, the circuit will have no current, and all consumers will stop working, so in the series circuit, several Electrical appliances are intertwined with each other, and either work all or stop working. In a parallel circuit, the current flowing from the positive pole of the power supply is divided into two paths at the branch, and each path has current flowing through, so even if one branch is disconnected, the other branch will still form a path with the main circuit. It can be seen that in the parallel circuit, the various branches are not involved with each other.

Divide in series and shunt in parallel.
Principle: In a series circuit, the current on each resistor is equal, and the sum of the voltage across each resistor is equal to the total voltage of the circuit. It can be seen that the voltage on each resistor is less than the total voltage of the circuit, so the series resistance is divided.
In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each resistor is equal, and the sum of the currents on each resistor is equal to the total current (main circuit current). It can be seen that the current on each resistor is less than the total current (main circuit current), so the parallel resistors are shunted. The series-parallel connection of resistors is like water flow. There is only one road in series. The larger the resistance, the slower the flow.

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