Measuring current in a parallel circuit
I can describe how to measure current through each branch of a parallel circuit.
Measuring current in a parallel circuit
I can describe how to measure current through each branch of a parallel circuit.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Current through the battery in a parallel circuit is measured with an ammeter, connected next to one end of the battery.
- There are connections to the rest of the circuit at the ends of each branch in a parallel circuit.
- The current through a branch of a parallel circuit is measured between its connections to the rest of the circuit.
- The current through each branch of a parallel circuit adds up to the total current through the battery.
Common misconception
Pupils often analyse circuits sequentially, starting from the battery, which makes predicting what current does at a junction impossible.
Teach pupils to analyse each complete loop of a parallel circuit as whole loops. The currents through each loop then add to give the current through the battery (rather than current from the battery miraculously ‘knowing’ how to split at a junction).
Keywords
Ammeter - a device that measures the current flowing in a circuit
Amps - the unit that current is measured in (short for amperes), represented by the symbol A
Branch - a separate loop in a parallel circuit
Parallel circuit - a circuit with more than one complete loop, from one end of a battery round to the other end
Equipment
Batteries, electrical leads, 1.5 V bulbs, 5 and 10 ohm resistors and ammeters.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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