To solve this problem, we need to look at how the electricity flows in each diagram. Here is the simple rule:
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Series Circuit: The components (like resistors or batteries) are lined up one after another like a single chain. There is only
one path for the electricity to flow. If you trace the line with your finger, you have to go through every component to get back to the start.
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Parallel Circuit: The wire splits into different branches. There is
more than one path for the electricity to flow. It’s like a river splitting into two streams and then joining back together.
Let's look at each circuit:
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Circuit A: Start at the battery. The wire goes through the first resistor, then the second, then the third, and finally back to the battery. There are no splits. This is a
Series circuit.
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Circuit B: The wire leaves the battery and immediately splits. One part goes down through a resistor, and the other part goes right through another resistor. They join back up before returning to the battery. Because the path splits, this is a
Parallel circuit.
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Circuit C: The wire leaves the battery and splits into three separate paths, each with a resistor. They all join back together at the bottom. Since there are multiple paths, this is a
Parallel circuit.
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Circuit D: Similar to B and C, the main wire splits into three branches. Each branch has a resistor. The electricity can choose any of these three paths. This is a
Parallel circuit.
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Circuit E: Even though the drawing looks a bit squiggly, follow the line from the battery. You go through the first resistor, then the wire continues directly to the second, then the third, and so on. There are no branches where the current splits. It is just one long loop. This is a
Series circuit.
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Circuit F: The wire goes from the battery, through the switch, through the resistor, and back. There is only one single loop. This is a
Series circuit.
Final Answer:
A: Series
B: Parallel
C: Parallel
D: Parallel
E: Series
F: Series
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of parallel circuit worksheet.
