2026-05-19 06:44

Status: #new

Tags: #physics #circuits

4.5 Applications to Circuits + Methods

Defining Circuit PARTS

• A is for an Amp-meter which measures Current at a point on a circuit
• V is for a Volt-meter which measures Voltage at a point on a circuit
• The Resistor can measure resistance (see how) indicated by a squiggly line on the circuit
• The positive terminal is where CURRENT flow out of, and the negative terminal where ELECTRONS flow out of

Series

• This is where successive points of a circuit are in a line (Current same for all resistors)
• Has a single point of failure
  

Parallel

• This is where a circuit diverges into multiple parts (Current divides)
• Also increases redundancy to reduce points of failure
  

Calculative Properties

• Note n means the last measured part of a series or a parallel circuit

Voltage

• Series: $V_t=V_1+\dots +V_n$
• Parallel: $V_t=V_1=\dots =V_n$

Current

• Series: $I_t=I_1=\dots =I_n$
• Parallel: $I_t=I_1+\dots +I_n$

Resistance

• Series: $R_t=R_1+\dots +R_n$
• Parallel: $\frac{1}{R_t}=\frac{1}{R_1}+\dots +\frac{1}{R_n}$

Quick Diagram:

Circuit Analysis

HOW to approach a circuit problem....

• START with identifying FREEBIES
  • We already have the conditions for Ohms LAW
  • Essentially, Fill the EASY spots in the Circuit...
• NEXT, identify things like parallel voltage for an entire circuit being the total voltage....
• When counting sums, DO NOT forget your laws...

References