DC Parallel Circuit

Comparison of parallel and series circuits with the same resistors and the same battery voltage applied.

If battery voltage

= V

is applied to resistors

=

and

=

,

Parallel The equivalent resistance is = and the total current is = A For the parallel circuit the entire battery voltage is applied to each resistor. The current branches, and the currents are calculated from Ohm's law: = A, = A.

Series The equivalent resistance is = and the total current is = A For the series circuit the entire current flows through each resistor. The voltages is divided, and the voltage drops across each resistor are calculated from Ohm's law: = V, = V.