12/10/24, 9:09 PM Parallel circuits - KS3 Physics - BBC Bitesize

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Parallel circuits
Part of Physics Electricity

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Key points

Game - series and parallel circuits

Video

Connecting components in parallel

Switches

Current and resistance in parallel circuits

Resistance in parallel circuits

Potential difference in parallel circuits

Quiz

Key points
A parallel circuit is way of connecting components on separate branches, so
the current can take different routes around the circuit.

Electrical circuits can be connected in parallel or in series .

The current is different in different parts of a parallel circuit.

The total resistance ® in the circuit decreases when components are added
in parallel.

The potential difference is the same across all branches of a parallel circuit.

Game - series and parallel circuits

Play an Atomic Labs experiment exploring different arrangements of series
and parallel circuits.

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12/10/24, 9:09 PM Parallel circuits - KS3 Physics - BBC Bitesize

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Video - Parallel circuits

01:25

Video Transcript

Can you answer these questions based on the video?

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12/10/24, 9:09 PM Parallel circuits - KS3 Physics - BBC Bitesize
1. What happens when you add a second bulb to a parallel circuit?

2. What happens when you remove a bulb from a parallel circuit?

Show answer

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Connecting components in parallel

When we connect components in parallel , the components are
connected on different branches of the circuit. There are two or more 'loops’
and multiple paths for a current to flow.

This circuit and circuit diagram contain a cell and two lamps connected in parallel

In a parallel circuit, if a lamp breaks or a component is disconnected, the

other components continue working. This is because current continues to flow
along remaining paths in the circuit.

Switches
Switches can be added to a parallel circuit to turn components on and off.

The position of switches in parallel circuit is important. If the switch is open,

both lamps are off. When the switch is closed, both lamps are on.

In a parallel circuit, if the switch is open, both lamps are off but when the switch is closed, both lamps are on

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12/10/24, 9:09 PM Parallel circuits - KS3 Physics - BBC Bitesize

Have a look at the slideshow to understand how adding switches can affect
components in a parallel circuit.

Both switches are open and both lamps are off.

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Parallel circuits are often used in homes. It allows individual devices to be

controlled using switches. You don’t have to have all your devices switched on
at the same time!

Parallel circuits are often used in homes

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12/10/24, 9:09 PM Parallel circuits - KS3 Physics - BBC Bitesize
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Current and resistance in parallel circuits

The current can have different values in different parts of a parallel circuit.
This is because there are multiple paths for current to flow.

The current is shared between the different branches of the circuit

when current reaches a junction in the circuit, it splits up and some current
flows along each route

when two branches of a circuit meet, the current combines again

the total current flowing through the cell can be found by adding the
individual currents flowing through each branch.

The current through the cell is more than the current through each lamp in parallel.

Ammeters are used to measure current. Current is measured in amperes (A).

The word 'amperes' is often abbreviated to 'amps'.

Resistance in parallel circuits

Unlike a series circuit, adding more components to a parallel circuit decreases
the total resistance ® of the circuit. Connecting more components into the
circuit in parallel causes more current to flow through the cell, not less.

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12/10/24, 9:09 PM Parallel circuits - KS3 Physics - BBC Bitesize

Identical lamps can be added in parallel to a circuit. As more bulbs are added, the brightness of each bulb stays the same.

Identical lamps have the same resistance. Each lamp in parallel has the same
current passing through it. Each lamp glows with the same brightness.

If the components in a parallel circuit have different resistances, a different

amount of current will flow through each branch.

The greater the resistance of the component, the less current will flow
through it. The current is still shared between the branches, and it still adds
where the branches meet.

This parallel circuit contains a resistor and a lamp. A current of 5 A flows

through the cell. The current splits at the junction.

3 A flows through the resistor and 2 A flows through the bulb.

The total current into a junction equals the total current out of a junction.

5 A = 3 A + 2 A.

The total current into a junction equals the total current out of a junction

More current flows through paths with lower resistance. More current flows
through the resistor, so it must have a lower resistance than the lamp.

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Potential difference in parallel circuits

In a parallel circuit, the potential difference across each branch of the
circuit is the same as the potential difference produced by the cell or battery.
The potential difference is not shared between the components (like in a
series circuit).

If a second lamp is added in parallel, it also has the same potential difference
across it is - the full potential difference produced by the cell. This means the
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12/10/24, 9:09 PM Parallel circuits - KS3 Physics - BBC Bitesize
same current flows through each lamp, and they both glow just as brightly.

If more lamps are added to a parallel circuit, all the lamps continue to glow brightly because the potential difference is the same across
all branches of a parallel circuit. All the lamps in these circuits will glow with the same brightness.

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Quiz - Multiple choice

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12/10/24, 9:09 PM Parallel circuits - KS3 Physics - BBC Bitesize

Play the Atomic Labs game!

Try out practical experiments in this KS3 science game.

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