Potential Difference in Circuits (Cambridge O Level Physics)

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Potential Difference in Series Circuits

  • In a series circuit, the sum of potential differences across the components is equal to the total potential difference of the power supply

Potential Difference in a Series Circuit

Voltage in series, IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

In a series circuit the components share the potential difference of the power supply

 

Potential Difference in Parallel Circuits

  • In a parallel circuit:
    • The potential difference across each branch is the same
    • If components are placed in series within a branch, then the potential difference is split across the components within the branch in accordance with the rules of potential difference in series

Lamps connected in a parallel circuit

  • In the above circuit:
    • If the battery is marked 12 V, then the potential difference would be 12 V across each lamp

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Leander

Author: Leander

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Leander graduated with First-class honours in Science and Education from Sheffield Hallam University. She won the prestigious Lord Robert Winston Solomon Lipson Prize in recognition of her dedication to science and teaching excellence. After teaching and tutoring both science and maths students, Leander now brings this passion for helping young people reach their potential to her work at SME.