Compare and contrast series and parallel circuits?

Answer 1

In a series circuit, there is only one path for the current to flow through. In a parallel circuit, there are multiple paths for the current to flow through. For example, most old Christmas lights are series circuits. If one light in the whole strand of lights went out, then all the lights would go out. This is because once one resistance is out, the circuit is no longer complete, so the current can not flow. An example of a parallel circuit could be your household lighting. When you turn on your kitchen lights, your bathroom lights don't turn on with it, do they? That is because it is a parallel circuit. In a parallel circuit, there are multiple paths for the current. It doesn't matter if one light is on and another is off because the current can go through another way. In a series circuit as you increase resistance, the voltage and current decrease. In a parallel circuit, as you increase resistance, the voltage and current increase. Think of a series circuit as a one-lane road. The car would be the current, the gas in the car would the voltage, and the traffic lights would be the resistance. Since you are on a one-lane road, as you keep stopping at traffic lights, you aren't going very fast or far. Now, think of parallel circuits as a multi-lane road (or highway). The car is the current, the gas in the car is the voltage, and the traffic lights (or closed roads, or accidents, anything that would slow you down on the road) are the resistance. When you are driving and one road is closed, you don't have to stop because you can continue driving and go on a different road to reach your destination.

Answer 2

Series circuit--- one continuous loop. Ex. old-fashioned string lights. One light goes out, they all go out. Parallel circuit-- the wiring in your home. If a light burns out in the kitchen, the hall light still works because the circuit has more than one branch.