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Current in a parallel circuit divides between the branches, depending on the relative impedance of each branch. Kirchoff's current law, which can be used to analyze that current, states simply that the sum of the currents entering and leaving a node, properly signed, always add up to zero.

Current in a series circuit is the same at every point in the circuit. This is a consequence of Kirchoff's current law, because a node in a series circuit consists of only two conductors, and the sum of the currents at that node must be zero. By implication, then, all nodes in a series circuit must have the same current.

Not asked, but discussed due to completeness, is Kirchoff's voltage law, which states that the signed sum of the voltage drops around a series circuit always add up to zero. A consequence of this is that the voltage across elements of a parallel circuit must be the same.

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14y ago
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12y ago

Parallel circuits have the same voltage in all branches but the current is usually different in each branch. They are known as current dividers.

Series circuits have the same current in all parts of the circuit, but the voltage can vary depending on the resistors and other components. They are known as voltage dividers.

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10y ago

The sum of the currents in the individual branches is equal to the total current outside of the parallel branches, i.e., before it splits or after it comes together. This is a consequence of Kirchhoff's Current Law.

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11y ago

The total current that goes in is equal to the current of each element in parallel circuit.

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13y ago

thevinize and/or nortonize

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Q: How do you find current in a compound circuit with parallel and series circuits?
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What are the differences between parallel circuit and series circuit?

Parallel circuits can have more than one way around the circuit I.e. ______O______ |______O_____| |_____|-______| Series circuits only have one way around the circuit I.e. ______O______ |______|-_____| Key: __ or | = wire O = light |- = battery/cell


What is special about electric current in a series circuit?

In a series circuit the current remains the same throughout the circuit. This is not the case for parallel circuits.


Why are parallel circuits considered current dividers?

They divide the electrons between different branches of the circuit.


What are the two basic types of electric circuits?

There are many different types of circuits, but, in basic electricity, perhaps the two most common types of circuits are parallel and series.A parallel-connected circuit is one in which the current divides into two or more flows with at least one load on each flow, whereas a series circuit has only one flow that passes through two or more consecutive loads. The input voltage to a parallel-connected circuit stays constant - so every branch of the circuit gets the same voltage from the power supply - but there is a different current flowing in each branch dependant on the resistance of the loads in that branch. Overall, no current gets lost because any current entering a particular junction (leading to branches) is always equal to the current leaving that junction.In a series-connected circuit the input current stays constant and the voltage is divided amongst the loads which are connected like links in a chain: each load component (a light, a resistor, etc.) is connected "head to tail" to the next one in the series circuit.A more complete answerActually there are four types of circuit, not two. These are series circuits, parallel circuits, series-parallel circuits, and complex circuits.'Complex circuits' (which are not necessarily complicated) describe any circuit that is not series, parallel, or series-parallel - a Wheatstone Bridge is an example of a complex circuit.The techniques for solving series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits cannot be used for solving complex circuits. Instead, network theorems, such as Thevenin's and Norton's Theorems must be used.


What is a curcuit?

A circuit is the path that transmits electric current.A circuit includes a battery or a generator that gives energy to the charged particles .Circuits are classified according to the type of current they carry that is parallel circuit and series circuit.

Related questions

How many circuits in the parallel circuit?

parallel circuit - a closed circuit in which the current divides into two or more paths.The circuits in a parallel circuits there are two or more circuits.


What is advantage of a parallel circuit?

Parallel circuits have a higher current and a lower resistance.


What are differences between series and parallel circuits?

In series circuits current will be the same through out the circuit. So whereever we connect the ammeter the same current is registered. But in parallel circuit current will be different in different lines. In parallel circuits the potential difference will be the same but in series pd will be different.


What are the differences between parallel circuit and series circuit?

Parallel circuits can have more than one way around the circuit I.e. ______O______ |______O_____| |_____|-______| Series circuits only have one way around the circuit I.e. ______O______ |______|-_____| Key: __ or | = wire O = light |- = battery/cell


What is special about electric current in a series circuit?

In a series circuit the current remains the same throughout the circuit. This is not the case for parallel circuits.


What is difference between seiries curcuits and parallel circuits?

A: In a series circuit the current remains the same In a parallel circuit the current may divide to satisfy the branches of the loads,


Are parallel circuits like series circuits?

They are not exactly the same. A series circuit is one complete circuit with not other pathways. A parallel circuit is a complete circuit with multiple pathways . The resistance of a parallel circuit is completely different from the resistance of a series circuit. Therefore, this affects the voltage and the current produced,


What is a circuit with two or more pathways?

Generally, a circuit with multiple paths is called "parallel" because of the structure of the wiring involved. Parallel circuits have identical voltage on all paths, while current through each path is variable; whereas series circuits, having only one path, has constant current, but variable voltage.


Why are parallel circuits considered current dividers?

They divide the electrons between different branches of the circuit.


Does a parallel circuit have more than 1 resistor?

Parallel circuits normally have more than one resistor. Basically parallel circuits are circuits where the current has more than path to follow. However, there are parallel circuits where there are two switches rather than two resistors.


What is the parallel disadvantage circuit?

There are three disadvantages of parallel circuits. These include the fact that they have complex resistance, voltage that is limited, and a current that varies.


What is the difference between parallel and series?

If you are referring to an electrical circuit, a series circuit is wired in such a way that if one object is removed from the circuit, the circuit is broken and everything within the circuit loses power. In a parallel circuit different components of the circuit can be removed without disabling power to the rest of the devices within the circuit.