Series & Parallel Circuits (OCR Gateway GCSE Physics: Combined Science)

Revision Note

Test Yourself
Katie M

Author

Katie M

Expertise

Physics

Series & Parallel Circuits

  • A series circuit consists of a string of two or more components, connected end to end:

Series circuit, IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Diagram showing two bulbs connected in series

  • A parallel circuit consists of two or more components attached along separate branches of the circuit

Parallel circuit, IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Diagram showing two bulbs connected in parallel

 

Series Circuit

  • A series circuit consists of a string of components connected in the same loop to a power supply
  • In a series circuit:
    • The current is the same at all points around the loop
    • The potential difference of the power supply is shared between the individual components

  • Two disadvantages of series circuits are:
    • If one of the components breaks, all of the others will stop working
    • The components cannot be controlled (switched on and off) separately

Circuit Construction, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Construction of a simple series circuit with an ammeter, voltmeter, cell and resistor

Parallel Circuit

  • The advantages of this kind of circuit are:
    • The components can be individually controlled, using their own switches
    • If one component stops working the others will continue to function

  • In a parallel circuit, the current splits up - some of it going one way and the rest going the other
  • This means that the current in each branch will be smaller than the current from the power supply

You've read 0 of your 0 free revision notes

Get unlimited access

to absolutely everything:

  • Downloadable PDFs
  • Unlimited Revision Notes
  • Topic Questions
  • Past Papers
  • Model Answers
  • Videos (Maths and Science)

Join the 80,663 Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Katie M

Author: Katie M

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.