In an electric circuit, how do series and parallel circuits differ?

In an electric circuit, how do series and parallel circuits differ?

• A. In series, voltage is the same across each component; in parallel, current is the same through each component.
• B. In series, components share the same current; in parallel, components share the same voltage and current can vary.
• C. In series, resistance decreases when more components are added; in parallel, resistance changes with number of paths.
• D. In series, current increases with more components; in parallel, current decreases.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how current and voltage are distributed in series versus parallel circuits. In a series circuit there’s only one path for the current, so the same current flows through every component. The voltages across the individual components add up to the total supply voltage. In a parallel circuit, each component is connected directly across the same voltage source, so each branch has the same voltage across it, but the currents in the branches can vary depending on each path’s resistance. The total current drawn from the source is the sum of all branch currents. That’s why the correct description says the same current flows through all parts in series, while in parallel the voltage is the same across each component and the branch currents can differ. The other statements mix up these relationships: in series adding components does not decrease resistance, it increases it; in parallel adding paths typically lowers total resistance; and current is not inherently forced to increase or decrease with more components in series.

The main idea is how current and voltage are distributed in series versus parallel circuits. In a series circuit there’s only one path for the current, so the same current flows through every component. The voltages across the individual components add up to the total supply voltage. In a parallel circuit, each component is connected directly across the same voltage source, so each branch has the same voltage across it, but the currents in the branches can vary depending on each path’s resistance. The total current drawn from the source is the sum of all branch currents.

That’s why the correct description says the same current flows through all parts in series, while in parallel the voltage is the same across each component and the branch currents can differ. The other statements mix up these relationships: in series adding components does not decrease resistance, it increases it; in parallel adding paths typically lowers total resistance; and current is not inherently forced to increase or decrease with more components in series.