Year 9 - Science
Voltage in parallel circuits
Resistance and parallel circuits
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit covers electrical circuits, compares appliance power ratings, and understands domestic fuel use and costs. It explores electric current, potential difference, resistance, and the differences between conductors and insulators, focusing on calculations and applications in circuits.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe the rule for voltages in a parallel circuit.
Key Notes
- A voltmeter is connected to each side of a cell, battery or component.
- Voltage (or potential difference) is measured in volts (V).
- The voltage across a cell or battery measures the strength with which it can 'push' current around a circuit.
- The voltage across a component in an electric circuit measures the size of 'push' that is moving current through it.
- The voltage across each branch of a parallel circuit is the same as the voltage across the cell or battery.
Vocabulary To Learn
- voltmeter: A voltmeter is a device that is connected in parallel and measures the voltage supplied by a cell or battery or across a component.
- voltage: Voltage is a measure of the 'push' from a cell or battery that moves charge around a circuit.
- potential difference: Potential difference is a more formal term for voltage; they can be used interchangeably.
- parallel circuit: A parallel circuit is an electric circuit with more than one complete loop from one end of a cell or battery to the other end.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Voltage in a parallel circuit is shared out between each branch of the circuit.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
A voltmeter is connected to each side of a cell, battery or component. Voltage (or potential difference) is measured in volts (V).
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'voltmeter'
A voltmeter is a device that is connected in parallel and measures the voltage supplied by a cell or battery or across a component. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Voltage in a parallel circuit is shared out between each branch of the circuit. Correction: Provide opportunity for pupils to measure voltage across each branch of a range of parallel circuits to give evidence for the correct rule.
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