New
New
Year 9
Loops of a parallel circuit
I can divide a parallel circuit into a set of nested series circuits.
New
New
Year 9
Loops of a parallel circuit
I can divide a parallel circuit into a set of nested series circuits.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- In a parallel circuit, each loop can be traced from one end of the battery round to the other end of the battery.
- Each loop in a parallel circuit is equivalent to a series circuit connected to the same battery.
- A parallel circuit can be divided into a number of series circuits, each connected to the ends of the same battery.
Keywords
Series circuit - An electric circuit with one complete loop, from one end of a battery round to the other end.
Battery - A component that uses a chemical reaction to make electric charge flow round a circuit.
Parallel circuit - A circuit with more than one complete loop, from one end of a battery round to the other end.
Potential difference - A more scientific term for voltage.
Common misconception
Pupils are often confused about how to analyse a parallel circuit.
Emphasise the need to consider each loop of a parallel circuit as if it were a single series circuit connected to the battery.
Task A (a lamp lit brightly and a motor) can be a class practical or demo. Pupils predict what happens when the lamp and battery are connected in parallel to the same battery. After these have been discussed, pupils observe what happens and refine their original explanations.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Lamps, wires, 3 V batteries for class practical.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which of the following statements is correct about the electrical leads in laboratory circuits?
The leads oppose the flow of current.
Unconnected leads have a voltage across them.
Q2.
Which of the following is the scientific term for voltage?
rational difference
potential reference
rational reference
Q3.
Which of the following is the correct way to connect a voltmeter and an ammeter in a circuit?
Connect the voltmeter in series and the ammeter in parallel.
Connect both the voltmeter and the ammeter in parallel.
Connect both the voltmeter and the ammeter in series.
Q4.
Which of the following statements about the voltage in the parallel branches of the circuit shown is correct?
The branch with the single lamp has a higher voltage.
The branch with two lamps has a higher voltage.
The branches with lamps have a lower voltage than the battery.
Q5.
All of the lamps in the circuit shown are identical. What is the voltage across lamp 3?
1.0 V
3.0 V
4.0 V
Q6.
What will the reading be on voltmeters 1 and 2 in the circuit shown?
voltmeter 1: 3.0 V, voltmeter 2: 3.0 V
voltmeter 1: 1.5 V, voltmeter 2: 1.5 V
voltmeter 1: 0.0 V, voltmeter 2: 3.0 V
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which of the following statements about circuits are correct?
A series circuit has multiple loops.
A series circuit has different current values at different points in it.
Q2.
Which of the following circuits is the odd one out?
Q3.
All of the lamps in the circuit shown are identical. Which of the following statements is correct?
The lamps will be different brightnesses.
The lamp nearest the battery will get the highest voltage.
The current reduces through each lamp with distance from the battery.
Q4.
What is the voltage of a battery of four 1.5 V cells connected in the same direction in series?
1.5 V
3.0 V
4.5 V
Q5.
Which of the following can be used to help explain potential difference?
energy in the elastic store
energy in the chemical store
Q6.
Which of the following statements about connecting identical cells in parallel is correct?
The voltage increases.
They can 'push' current harder.
Additional material
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