Physics 2

Electricity and Magnetism

3rd Meeting

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-1
The University of Riau 2011
 Series and Parallel Circuits
Key Question:
How do series and parallel circuits work?

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-2
Riau 2011
 Series and Parallel Circuits
• In series circuits, current can only take one
path.
• The amount of current is the same at all points
in a series circuit.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-3
Riau 2011
 Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of
4/12/2018 M3-4
Riau 2011
 Adding resistances in series
• Each resistance in a
series circuit adds to
the total resistance of
the circuit.

Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3...
Total resistance
(ohms)
Individual resistances (Ω)

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-5
Riau 2011
 Adding resistances in series

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-6
The University of Riau 2011
 Total resistance in a series circuit
• Light bulbs, resistors, motors, and heaters
usually have much greater resistance than
wires and batteries.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-7
The University of Riau 2011
 Calculate current
• How much current flows in a circuit with a 1.5-
volt battery and three 1 ohm resistances
(bulbs) in series?

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-8
Riau 2011
 Recall Ohm’s Law

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-9
Riau 2011
 Voltage in a series circuit
• Each separate resistance
creates a voltage drop as the
current passes through.
• As current flows along a
series circuit, each type of
resistor transforms some of
the electrical energy into
another form of energy
• Ohm’s law is used to
calculate the voltage drop
across each resistor.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-10
Riau 2011
 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-11
Riau 2011
 Series and Parallel Circuits
• In parallel circuits the current can take more than
one path.
• Because there are multiple branches, the current
is not the same at all points in a parallel circuit.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-12
The University of Riau 2011
 Kirchhoff’s Current Law

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-13
The University of Riau 2011
 Series and Parallel Circuits
• Sometimes these paths are called branches.
• The current through a branch is also called the branch
current.
• When analyzing a parallel circuit, remember that the
current always has to go somewhere.
• The total current in the circuit is the sum of the currents
in all the branches.
• At every branch point the current flowing out must
equal the current flowing in.
• This rule is known as Kirchhoff’s current law.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-14
Riau 2011
 Kirchhoff’s Current Law

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-15
Riau 2011
 Voltage and current
in a parallel circuit
• In a parallel circuit the voltage is the same
across each branch because each branch has a
low resistance path back to the battery.
• The amount of current in each branch in a
parallel circuit is not necessarily the same.
• The resistance in each branch determines the
current in that branch.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-16
Riau 2011
 Advantages of parallel circuits
Parallel circuits have two big advantages over
series circuits:
1. Each device in the circuit sees the full
battery voltage.
2. Each device in the circuit may be turned off
independently without stopping the current
flowing to other devices in the circuit.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-17
Riau 2011
 Short circuit
• A short circuit is a parallel path in a circuit with zero or
very low resistance.
• Short circuits can be made accidentally by connecting a
wire between two other wires at different voltages.
• Short circuits are dangerous because they can draw
huge amounts of current.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-18
Riau 2011
 Calculate current
• Two bulbs with different resistances are connected in
parallel to batteries with a total voltage of 3 volts.
• Calculate the total current supplied by the battery.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-19
The University of Riau 2011
 Resistance in parallel circuits
• Adding resistance in parallel provides another
path for current, and more current flows.
• When more current flows for the same voltage,
the total resistance of the circuit decreases.
• This happens because every new path in a
parallel circuit allows more current to flow for
the same voltage.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-20
The University of Riau 2011
 Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.
4/12/2018 M3-21
The University of Riau 2011
Adding resistance in parallel circuits
• A circuit contains a 2 ohm resistor and a 4 ohm
resistor in parallel.
• Calculate the total resistance of the circuit.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-22
Riau 2011
 Analysis of Circuits

Key Question:
How do we
analyze network
circuits?

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-23
Riau 2011
 Analysis of Circuits
• All circuits work by manipulating currents and
voltages.
• The process of circuit analysis means figuring
out what the currents and voltages in a circuit
are, and also how they are affected by each
other.
• Three basic laws are the foundation of circuit
analysis.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-24
The University of Riau 2011
 Three circuit laws

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-25
The University of Riau 2011
 Voltage divider circuit

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-26
The University of Riau 2011
 Voltage divider

• A circuit divides any supplied voltage by a ratio

of the resistors.

V0 = R1 Vi
R1 + R2
Output Input
resistor ratio voltage
voltage
(volts) (Ω) (volts)

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-27
The University of Riau 2011
 Solving circuit problems
1. Identify what the problem is asking you to find.
Assign variables to the unknown quantities.
2. Make a large clear diagram of the circuit. Label
all of the known resistances, currents, and
voltages. Use the variables you defined to label
the unknowns.
3. You may need to combine resistances to find the
total circuit resistance. Use multiple steps to
combine series and parallel resistors.
Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.
4/12/2018 M3-28
The University of Riau 2011
 Solving circuit problems
4. If you know the total resistance and current, use
Ohm’s law as V = IR to calculate voltages or
voltage drops. If you know the resistance and
voltage, use Ohm’s law as I = V ÷ R to calculate
the current.
5. An unknown resistance can be found using
Ohm’s law as R = V ÷ I, if you know the current
and the voltage drop through the resistor.
6. Use Kirchhoff’s current and voltage laws as
necessary.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-29
The University of Riau 2011
 Solving circuit problems
• A bulb with a resistance of
1Ω is to be used in a circuit
with a 6-volt battery.
• The bulb requires 1 amp of
current.
• If the bulb were connected
directly to the battery, it
would draw 6 amps and
burn out instantly.
• To limit the current, a
resistor is added in series
with the bulb.
• What size resistor is needed
to make the current 1 amp?

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-30
The University of Riau 2011
 Network circuits

• In many circuits, resistors are connected both

in series and in parallel.
• Such a circuit is called a network circuit.
• There is no single formula for adding resistors
in a network circuit.
• For very complex circuits, electrical engineers
use computer programs that can rapidly solve
equations for the circuit using Kirchhoff’s laws.
Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.
4/12/2018 M3-31
The University of Riau 2011
 Calculate using network circuits
• Three bulbs, each with a
resistance of 3Ω, are
combined in the circuit in
the diagram
• Three volts are applied to
the circuit.
• Calculate the current in
each of the bulbs.
• From your calculations, do
you think all three bulbs
will be equally bright?
Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.
4/12/2018 M3-32
The University of Riau 2011
 Electric Power, AC, and DC Electricity

Key Question:
How much does
electricity cost and
what do you pay
for?

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of

4/12/2018 M3-33
Riau 2011
 Electric Power, AC, and DC Electricity
• The watt (W) is a unit of
power.
• Power is the rate at which
energy moves or is used.
• Since energy is measured in
joules, power is measured
in joules per second.
• One joule per second is
equal to one watt.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-34
The University of Riau 2011
 Reviewing terms

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-35
The University of Riau 2011
 Power in electric circuits
• One watt is a pretty small amount of power.
• In everyday use, larger units are more
convenient to use.
• A kilowatt (kW) is equal to 1,000 watts.
• The other common unit of power often seen
on electric motors is the horsepower.
• One horsepower is 746 watts.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-36
The University of Riau 2011
 Power
Voltage (volts)
Power (watts) P = VI Current (amps)

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-37
The University of Riau 2011
 Calculate power
• A light bulb with a
resistance of 1.5Ω
is connected to a
1.5-volt battery in
the circuit shown
at right.
• Calculate the
power used by the
light bulb.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-38
The University of Riau 2011
 Calculate power
• Your electric company
charges Rp 365,- per
kilowatt-hour. Your
coffee maker has a
power rating of 1,050
watts.
• How much does it
cost to use the coffee
maker one hour per
day for a month?
Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.
4/12/2018 M3-39
The University of Riau 2011
 Alternating and direct current
• The current from a
battery is always in the
same direction.
• One end of the battery
is positive and the
other end is negative.
• The direction of
current flows from
positive to negative.
• This is called direct
current, or DC.
Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.
4/12/2018 M3-40
The University of Riau 2011
 Alternating and direct current
• If voltage alternates,
so does current.
• When the voltage is
positive, the current in
the circuit is clockwise.
• When the voltage is
negative the current is
the opposite direction.
• This type of current is
called alternating
current, or AC.
Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.
4/12/2018 M3-41
The University of Riau 2011
 Alternating and direct current
• AC current is used for almost all high-
power applications because it is easier to
generate and to transmit over long
distances.
• The 220 volt AC (VAC) electricity used in
homes and businesses alternates between
peak values of +260 V and -260 V at a
frequency of 50 Hz.
• AC electricity is usually identified by the
average voltage, (220 VAC) not the peak
voltage.
Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. The University of
4/12/2018 M3-42
Riau 2011
 Power in AC circuits
• For a circuit containing a
motor, the power
calculation is a little
different from that for a
simple resistance like a light
bulb.
• Because motors store
energy and act like
generators, the current and
voltage are not in phase
with each other.
• The current is always a little
behind the voltage.

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-43
The University of Riau 2011
 Power for AC circuits
• Electrical engineers use a power factor (pf) to
calculate power for AC circuits with motors

Avg. voltage Avg. current (amps)

(volts)

Power (watts) P = VI x pf

power factor
0-100%
Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.
4/12/2018 M3-44
The University of Riau 2011
 Application: Wiring in Homes and
Buildings

Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc.

4/12/2018 M3-45
The University of Riau 2011
 Dr. Adhy Prayitno, MSc. T
4/12/2018 M3-46
he University of Riau 2011