13: Electricity 2

Series, Parallel and Potential Dividers

Paper 1
1: Particles 1
15. Resistors:
Atomic Structure and the SNF a. 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠, 𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 + …
1 1 1 1
b. 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙, 𝑅 = 𝑅 + 𝑅 + 𝑅 +
2: Particles 2 𝑇 1 2 3

Particle Classification 18. The relationships between currents, voltages and resistances in series and
parallel circuits, including cells in series and identical cells in parallel.
3: Particles 3 20. The potential divider used to supply constant or variable potential difference
Particle Interaction
from a power supply.
4: Quantum 21. The use of the potentiometer as a measuring instrument is not required.
Photoelectric, Energy Levels and WPD 22. Examples should include the use of variable resistors, thermistors, and light
dependent resistors (LDR) in the potential divider.
5: Waves 1
Wave Basics and Stationary Waves

6: Waves 2
Interference and Diffraction

7: Waves 3
Refraction and Fibre Optics

8: Mechanics 1
Scalars, Vectors and Moments

9: Mechanics 2
Motion and Newton’s Laws

10: Mechanics 3
Momentum and Energy

11: Materials
Hooke’s Law and the Young Modulus

12: Electricity 1
Resistivity and Superconductivity

13: Electricity 2
Series, Parallel and Potential Dividers

14: Electricity 3
Energy, EMF and Internal Resistance

15: Further Mechanics 1

Circular Motion

16: Further Mechanics 2

Simple Harmonic Motion
 Monday: Series and Parallel Notes
This diagram shows three resistors connected in series.
Complete these equations to show how the potential
difference and current behave in a series circuit:

𝑉𝐵𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑉1 𝑉2 𝑉3

𝐼𝐵𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝐼1 𝐼2 𝐼3

If you know the overall (or combined) resistance and

know the potential difference of the battery we can
work out the total current of the circuit.

To find the voltage across one of the resistors you

would use the equation:
𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
The value of the resistance will be given in the
question and current can be deduced.
This diagram shows three resistors connected in parallel.

Complete these equations to show how the potential

difference and current behave in a parallel circuit:

𝑉𝐵𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑉1 𝑉2 𝑉3

𝐼𝐵𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝐼1 𝐼2 𝐼3

If you know the overall (or combined) resistance and

know the potential difference of the battery we can
work out the total current of the circuit.

To find the current through one of the resistors you

would use the equation:
𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
The value of the resistance will be given in the
question and potential difference can be deduced.

Cells connected in series Identical cells connected in parallel

Calculate the total potential difference provided by the Calculate the total potential difference provided by the cells. Each
cells. Each cell is 1.5V. cell is 6V.

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Cells in series provide a higher potential difference but a smaller current.
Cells in parallel provide a lower potential difference but a larger current.
You can calculate the total resistance of resistors connected in series using the following equation:

𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3
RT R1 R2 R3
10 15 20
400 25 540
150 175 0
12 3 4
7500 3000 2500
You can calculate the total resistance of resistors connected in parallel using the following equation:
1 1 1 1
= + +
𝑅𝑇 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
RT R1 R2 R3
10 15 20
400 25 540
100 175 0
12 3 4
7500 3000 2500
What can be concluded about the total resistance compared to the individual resistors connected in parallel?

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You have been given only three resistors or fixed values 10Ω, 25Ω and 40Ω.
Calculate all the possible resistances that could be created using one, two or all of these resistors. Draw how they are connected.
 Tuesday: Series and Parallel Exam Questions
Q59. The circuit shown below shows a thermistor connected in a circuit with two resistors, an ammeter and a battery of emf 15V
and negligible internal resistance.

Q59(a) When the thermistor is at a certain temperature the current through the ammeter is 10.0 mA.
Q59(ai) Calculate the pd across the 540 Ω resistor.

answer = ..................................... V (1)

Q59(aii) Calculate the pd across the 1200 Ω resistor.

answer = ..................................... V (1)

Q59(aiii) Calculate the resistance of the parallel combination of the resistor and the thermistor.

answer = ..................................... Ω (2)

Q59(aiv) Calculate the resistance of the thermistor.

answer = ..................................... Ω (2)

Q59(b) The temperature of the thermistor is increased so that its resistance decreases.
State and explain what happens to the pd across the 1200 Ω resistor.

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(Total 9 marks)
Q60. The circuit shown in the figure below shows an arrangement of resistors, W, X, Y, Z, connected to a battery of negligible
internal resistance.

The emf of the battery is 10V and the reading on the ammeter is 2.0 A.
Q60(ai) Calculate the total resistance of the circuit.

answer = ..................................... Ω (1)

Q60(aii) The resistors W, X, Y, and Z all have the same resistance. Show that your answer to part (a) (i) is consistent with the
resistance of each resistor being 3.0 Ω.

answer = ..................................... Ω (3)

Q60(bi) Calculate the current through resistor Y.

answer = ...................................... A (2)

Q60(bii) Calculate the pd across resistor W.

answer = ...................................... V (2)

(Total 8 marks)
 Wednesday: Thermistors Extended Writing

Describe how you would use a voltmeter, ammeter and other standard laboratory equipment to obtain accurate and reliable
measurement of the resistance of a thermistor at temperatures between 0°C and 100°C. Your description should include:
 A labelled circuit diagram
 Details of measurements you would take
 An account of how you would use your measurements
 Details of how to improve the precision of your measurements
 A risk assessment.

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 Wednesday: Series, Parallel and Potential Dividers Definitions

Parallel How a voltmeter needs to be connected to a component in a circuit.

Current The rate of flow of charge.

Series How an ammeter needs to be connected to a component in a circuit.

Potential Divider An arrangement of two or more resistors that share the voltage (between the resistors)

Infinite The resistance of an ideal voltmeter.

Sum Of The total p.d. of identical cells in series is the ….... the individual cells.

Thermistor A component whose resistance changes as it is cooled.

Series Two resistors connected in this way act as a potential divider.

The Same As The p.d. across one of three resistors in parallel will be …… the p.d. across the battery.

Ampere A unit equal to one coulomb per second

Smaller Adding more resistors in parallel makes the total resistance …

Resistance The constant of proportionality between voltage and current

A Third Of The p.d. across one of three identical resistors in series will be …… the p.d. across the battery.

Coulomb A unit equal to one ampere second.

Larger Adding more resistors in series makes the total resistance …

LDR A component whose resistance changes as brightness is changed.

Ohm A unit equal to one volt per ampere.

Potentiometer A potential divider where R1 and R2 have been replaced with a variable resistor.

Conserved Charge is this at any junction.

Same As The total p.d. of identical cells in parallel is the ….... the individual cells.

Zero The resistance of an ideal ammeter.

The Same As The current through one of three resistors in series will be …… the current from the battery.

Volt A unit equal to one joule per coulomb.

The current through one of three identical resistors in parallel will be …… the current from the
A Third Of
battery.

A Third Of A Third Of Ampere Conserved

Coulomb Current Infinite Larger
LDR Ohm Parallel Potential Divider
Potentiometer Resistance Same As Series
Series Smaller Sum Of The Same As
The Same As Thermistor Volt Zero
 Thursday: Potential Dividers Notes
Kirchhoff’s 1st Law (Current).

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Kirchhoff’s 2nd Law (Energy).

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Below is a diagram of the most basic potential divider. Describe the structure of all potential dividers.

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Potential dividers do not share the potential equally, they share it fairly.

If R1 contributes 30% of the total resistance then it will receive ……………….. of the voltage from the battery.

If R2 contributes 1/6 of the total resistance then it will receive ……………….. of the voltage from the battery.

𝑉1 =

𝑉2 =

All of the resistors in the diagram below have the same value.
What would the reading be if a voltmeter was connected between the following points:
A and B? B and C? A and C? B and D? A and D?

E and F? F and G? G and E? A and F? B and F?

C and E? B and G? D and E? G and C? B and B?

Potential dividers often have either a variable resistor, LDR or a thermistor.

Complete this graph Complete this graph

to show how the to show how the
resistance of an resistance of a
LDR changes when thermistor changes
the light levels are when it is warmed
increased. up.
Describe and explain what happens as the resistance of the variable resistor is slowly increased from very low to very high.

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Describe and explain what happens as the temperature drops from a high to low temperature.

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Describe and explain what happens as the light levels are slowly decreased from brightest to darkest.

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Complete this table by calculating the missing values.
Vin R1 R2 V1 V2
6.0 8.0 4.0
12 20 60
8.0 100 1.0
230 30 28.8
7.2 900 3.6
16 12 5.0
56 1.75 1.25
5.0 5000 2.2
3.75 10 3.3
6300 3700 5.67
Give your answers to the appropriate number of significant figures.
 Friday: Potential Dividers Exam Questions
Q63. A student wishes to investigate how the resistance of a thermistor changes with temperature.
Q63(a) Draw a labelled diagram of a suitable circuit that would enable the student to measure the resistance of the thermistor.

(2)
Q63(b) The diagram below shows a thermistor connected in series with a resistor, R, and battery of emf 6.0 V and negligible
internal resistance.

When the temperature is 50 °C the resistance of the thermistor is 1.2 kΩ. The voltmeter connected across R reads 1.6 V.
Q63(bi) Calculate the pd across the thermistor.

answer = ...................................... V (1)

Q63(bii) Calculate the current in the circuit.

answer = ...................................... A (1)

Q63(biii) Calculate the resistance of R quoting your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

answer = ..................................... Ω (2)

Q63(c) State and explain the effect on the voltmeter reading if the internal resistance of the battery in the circuit in part (b) was not
negligible.

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(Total 8 marks)
Q64. The circuit diagram below shows a 6.0 V battery of negligible internal resistance connected in series to a light dependent
resistor (LDR), a variable resistor and a fixed resistor, R.

Q64(a) For a particular light intensity the resistance of the LDR is 50 kΩ. The resistance of R is 5.0 kΩ and the variable resistor is
set to a value of 35 kΩ.
Q64(ai) Calculate the current in the circuit.

current...........................................A (2)
Q64(aii) Calculate the reading on the voltmeter.

voltmeter reading ...........................................V (2)

Q64(b) State and explain what happens to the reading on the voltmeter if the intensity of the light incident on the LDR increases.

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Q64(c) For a certain application at a particular light intensity the pd across R needs to be 0.75 V. The resistance of the LDR at this
intensity is 5.0 kΩ. Calculate the required resistance of the variable resistor in this situation.

resistance ........................................... Ω (3)

(Total 9 marks)
 Saturday: Series, Parallel and Potential Dividers Checklist
# I can…   
63 Describe how current behaves in series circuits.
64 Describe how current behaves in parallel circuits.
65 Describe how potential difference behaves in series circuits.
66 Describe how potential difference behaves in parallel circuits.
67 Calculate the total voltage of cells in series.
68 Calculate the total voltage of identical cells in parallel.
69 Calculate the current through a component.
70 Calculate the potential difference across a component.
71 Calculate the potential difference across two points in a circuit.
72 Describe what happens to the total resistance as more resistors are added in series.
73 Calculate the total resistance of resistors connected in series.
74 Calculate the resistance of a resistor in series when given the total resistance.
75 Describe what happens to the total resistance as more resistors are added in parallel.
76 Calculate the total resistance of resistors connected in parallel.
77 Calculate the resistance of a resistor in parallel when given the total resistance.
78 Calculate the total resistance of resistors connected in a combination of series and parallel.
90 Describe the basic structure of a potential divider.
91 Describe the purpose of potential dividers.
92 Describe the connection between the resistance and voltage across a component in a potential divider.
93 Calculate the voltage across a component in a potential divider.
94 Describe the effect of a change made in a potential divider containing a variable resistor.
95 Describe the effect of a change made in a potential divider containing a thermistor.
96 Describe the effect of a change made in a potential divider containing an LDR.