Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V
SCHOOLS Division of Camarines Sur

SCIENCE 8

Name : ______________________________________________ Quarter : 1st Week : 7A

Grade Level/Section: ________________________________ Date: _____________________

PARALLEL AND SERIES PROS AND CONS

I. Introductory Concept
Series and parallel connections are two ways of wiring loads. In series connection,
there is only one path for the current. Two or more devices are in series when there is no
junction between them. This means that the current that goes through one has to go
through the next device, and then the next, and so on. In parallel connection, current enters
a junction where it splits into two or more branches. Each branch has its own current. A
junction is a point in the circuit where currents meet or separate.

Series connection

Figure 1. Only one path for current to flow in series connection

Allaboutcircuits.com

In the series connection, there is only a single path

for electric current because there is but a single loop of
connecting wire. With this connection, for each part of
the circuit, the amount of current remains constant. That
is why elements connected in series have the same
current. As you added more bulbs in the loop, each
bulb turned dimmer because the voltage was divided
among the bulbs. Also, the resistance of the circuit
increased because the resistance of each bulb added
Figure 2. series circuit/slidetodoc.com
up. When one bulb is unscrewed or removed, the other
bulb will no longer light up.

Parallel connection

In parallel circuit connection, there are many possible

paths for the electricity because each element is
independently connected to the voltage source. Since
current takes many paths, it is divided among the
Figure 3. Parallel circuit/Pinterest.com

1
elements or bulbs. But since each bulb is connected independently to the source,
each element has the same potential as the source. That is, technically speaking, they
are of the same voltage. This is shown by the unchanged brightness of each bulb even
when you added more and more circuit branches. Also, you must have observed that
when you unscrewed one of the bulbs, the rest remained lit because current through
the glowing bulbs took some alternative paths when there was a break in the circuit

Table 1. Comparison of the total current, total voltage and total resistance of series and parallel circuits.

Series connection Parallel connection

Same as current in individual load
Equal to the sum of current in
Total current IT = I1 = I2 = I3 individual load
IT = I1 +I 2 +I3
Equal to the sum of the voltages Same anywhere across two
Total voltage across each load points in the circuit
VT = V1 + V2 +V3 VT = V1 = V2 = V3
Increases with increasing load Decrease with increasing load
Total resistance RT = R1 + R2 +R3 RT = _______1_____
1 1 1
---- + --- + ---
R1 R2 R3

Table 2. Advantages and disadvantages of a series and parallel circuit

Circuit Advantages Disadvantages
Series Circuit * The current is the same in all parts - Since series connection has
of the circuit that is why the only one path for the flow of
brightness of the bulbs are the same. electric current, when a bulb
or lamp is burnt up, all other
* At constant voltage, if more bulbs bulbs will not light up
(resistance) are added in the circuit,
current decreases. This will result to a - If more bulbs are added in
safe connection of light bulbs as the circuit, the resistance also
used in Christmas lights and dancing increases causing the electric
lights. current to
decrease which results to a
* There is only one switch that dimmer light bulb.)
controls the circuit.

* Loads (bulbs and other

appliances) consumes less energy

Parallel circuit * In parallel connections, if one of - The voltage across a parallel

the loads is busted, the other loads circuit remains constant.
will not be affected.
- Different amount of current
* Each load in parallel connection flowing in the circuit,
receives the same amount of depending on the resistances
voltage that is supplied by the of each branch of the circuit.
electric source.)

2
 - When more branches are
added in the circuit, the
voltage across the circuit is
the same, but the current flow
changes to compensate and
can result to lower resistance
in the circuit. Lower resistance
can result to higher current in
the circuit that may cause
overheating and fire.

- In parallel circuit, batteries

do not last longer because
each load consumes same
amount of voltage.)

II. Learning Skills/Competency

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of series and parallel connections in

homes. (S8FE-Ii-31)

III. Activities

Activity1. Picture Analysis!

A. Direction: Study the diagram, then answer the questions below on a separate
piece of paper.

Q1. How are they connected? Is it in series or in parallel connections? Why?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Q2. Why do you think it is connected in series connection?

3
 _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Q3. What are its advantages and disadvantages?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

B. Direction: Study the diagram, then answer the questions below on a separate
piece of paper.

Q1. How are they connected? Is it in series or in parallel connections? Why?

________________________________________________________________________

Q2. Why do you think it is connected in parallel connection?

________________________________________________________________________

Q3. What are its advantages and disadvantages?

________________________________________________________________________

Activity 2. Analyzing Circuit Connection

Remember this! In a series circuit, electricity has only one path. All parts are
connected one after another. Electrons flow from the negative side of the battery
around in a loop to the positive side. In a parallel circuit, electricity has more than
one path to follow. Electrons can follow different paths as they flow from to the
negative side of the battery to the positive side

A. Direction: study the diagram, draw arrows to show the path of electricity in this series
circuit.

4
 www.superteacherworksheets.com

Q1. If a lightbulb is missing or broken in a series circuit, will the other bulb light? Explain.
________________________________________________________________________

Q2. In series circuit diagram, how is the brightness of the first bulb affected when the
second bulb is connected? Explain why this happens.
________________________________________________________________________

C. Direction: Study the diagram. Draw arrows to show the path of electricity in this series
circuit.

www.superteacherworksheets.com

Q1. If a lightbulb is missing or broken in a parallel circuit, will the other bulb light?
Explain.__________________________________________________________________________

Q2. In parallel circuit diagram, how is the brightness of the first bulb affected when the
second bulb is connected? Explain why this happens.

_________________________________________________________________________________

IV. References
Baguio, S. et. al.(2013).Breaking Through Science 8 pp.132-136,C & EPublishing, Inc.

Prototype and Contextualized daily lesson plans in grade 8 science pp. 100-113
Science Grade 8 Learner’s Material pp. 63

Science Grade 8 Quarter 1- Module 16 (Electrical Connection) pp.14

Writer: SHEILA C. PEÑA

Quality Assured by: EMILY B. ESMABE

Education Program Supervisor-1, Science