Key Stage 3
Meaning
A Parallel Circuit is an electrical circuit with two or more paths the current can flow along.
About Parallel Circuits
- In a parallel circuit the current is split at junctions before taking a different path.
- Switches can be placed in a Parallel Circuit to allow current along one path at a time.
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| The current from the battery splits at the junction sharing the current between the two bulbs. | The two bulbs can be switched on and off separately. |
- Components placed in parallel with each other have the same Potential Difference across them.
Examples
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| The cell, bulb and Voltmeter are in parallel so they have the same Potential Difference across them. | The two bulbs are in parallel so they have the same Potential Difference across them but may have a different Current passing through them. | The bulb and motor are in parallel so they have the same Potential Difference across them but may have a different Current passing through them. |