Types of Circuits

B and E worked through solving for equivalent resistance, equivalent current and current/potential difference across each load for combination circuits. Remember to resolve equivalent resistances for the smallest unit in your circuit, then work backwards towards larger and larger combinations until you've tackled the circuit as a whole. If I get time, I'll post a video working through a combination circuit for you to check out if you have trouble with your homework problem.

F Block took on the topic of parallel circuits and contrasted them with series arrangements. For parallel circuits, the potential difference across each resistor is the same, but the current varies because of the differing resistances. Adding resistors decreases the equivalent resistance and increases the overall current, so overloading a parallel circuit is a dangerous thing to do owing to the heat production from the higher current. Make sure you can solve problems with parallel circuits, determining the values for equivalent resistance in the circuit, overall current, current/potential difference across individual resistors. We'll go over this on Monday before taking a look at combination circuits.

C Block worked on a lab that contrasted series and parallel circuits. Folks examined patters of current and potential difference in circuits when loads are arranged in series (which we've already discussed) and parallel (which we'll hit Monday). You should have the background to analyze your series circuit information already, but a look in the book will fill in the gaps for the parallel circuits for your write-ups. We'll go over those as part of our discussion on parallel circuits.

Have a good weekend!