Resistors in Parallel

Resistors being in parallel means their ends are connected by a conductor, making their ends at a common potential. That means exactly the same potential difference is across each of the resistors that are connected in parallel.

Redrawing a circuit is often a useful step in understanding it.

Consider this string of Christmas lights that are connected in parallel. What happens if one of the bulbs burns out or is removed?

Resistors in Series

Other Combinations

Return to Ch 19, DC Circuits

(c) Doug Davis, 2002; all rights reserved