EMF & Potential Difference in Circuits (CIE IGCSE Physics)

• When several cells are connected together in series, their combined EMF is equal to the sum of their individual EMFs

The total EMF of these cells is equal to the sum of their individual EMFs

 

EXTENDED

• In a series circuit, the sum of potential differences across the components is equal to the total EMF of the power supply

In a series circuit the components share the EMF of the power supply

 

EXTENDED

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

• The potential difference across each component connected in parallel is the same 
  • This is the opposite of the current, which is different in each branch

Diagram showing two bulbs connected in parallel where the potential difference through them is the same as the total potential difference in the circuit

 

V_Total = V₁ = V₂ = V_3...