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the loads in a parallel circuit are connected
multiply across the voltage source. that means that instead of being in
a line (series), the loads are connected via branches that return to the
voltage source. note that voltage sources can themselves be connected in
parallel. think of it this way, the batteries (cells) in your flashlight
are connected in series - end to end, positive to negative. (we really
should have discussed the polarity of the terminals earlier. suffice it
to say that electricity flows from the negative terminal to the positive
in a circuit.) if cells are connected in parallel, it means that all the
positive terminals have been connected together and all the negative terminals
have been connected together. now, the interesting part is that when cells
are connected in series the voltage increases. 1.5v + 1.5v = 3v. However,
when the cells are connected in parallel, the amps increase - more current
is flowing through the circuit, though the voltage
remains the same. |
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