Current in Series & Parallel (Edexcel IGCSE Physics: Double Science)

• In a circuit that is a closed-loop, such as a series circuit, the current is the same value at any point
• • This is because the number of electrons per second that passes through one part of the circuit is the same number that passes through any other part

• This means that all components in a closed-loop have the same current

The current is the same at each point in a closed-loop

• The amount of current flowing around a series circuit depends on two things:
  • The voltage of the power source
  • The number (and type) of components in the circuit

• Increasing the voltage of the power source drives more current around the circuit
  • So, decreasing the voltage of the power source reduces the current

• Increasing the number of components in the circuit increases the total resistance
  • Hence less current flows through the circuit

Current will increase if the voltage of the power supply increases, and decreases if the number of components increases (because there will be more resistance)

• A junction in a parallel circuit is where two or more wires meet
  • The current is always split at a circuit junction

• The current is conserved
  • This means the amount of current flowing into the junction is equal to the amount of current flowing out of it

• This is because charge is conserved

• Note that the current does not always split equally – often there will be more current in some branches than in others
  • The current in each branch will only be identical if the resistance of the components along each branch is identical

• Current behaves in this way because it is the flow of electrons:
  • Electrons are physical matter – they cannot be created or destroyed
  • This means the total number of electrons (and hence current) going around a circuit must remain the same
  • When the electrons reach a junction, however, some of them will go one way and the rest will go the other

Current is split at a junction into individual branches

Step 1: Recall that at a junction, the current is conserved

• • This means that the total amount of current flowing into a junction is equal to the total amount flowing out

Step 2: Consider the first junction in the circuit where current splits

• • The diagram below shows the first junction in the circuit

Step 3: Calculate the missing amount of current

• • Since 10 A flows in to the junction (the total current from the battery), 10 A must flow out of the junction
  • The question says that 6 A flows through ammeter A₁ so the remaining current flowing through ammeter A₂ must be:

10 A − 6 A = 4 A

• • Therefore, 4 A flows through ammeter A₂