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In which have same brightness?in parallel connection or in series connection? |
In series connection as more and more light bulbs are added, the brightness of each bulb gradually decreases. That is the current within the circuit is decreasing.So for series circuits, as more resistors are added the overall current within the circuit decreases. This decrease in current is consistent with the conclusion that the overall resistance increases. Brightness is more in parellel connection. More Explanation Series Connections In conducting the lab activity, distinctly different observations are made for the two types of circuits. A series circuit can be constructed by connecting light bulbs in such a manner that there is a single pathway for charge flow; the bulbs are added to the same line with no branching point. As more and more light bulbs are added, the brightness of each bulb gradually decreases. This observation is an indicator that the current within the circuit is decreasing.So for series circuits, as more resistors are added the overall current within the circuit decreases. This decrease in current is consistent with the conclusion that the overall resistance increases.A final observation that is unique to series circuits is the effect of removing a bulb from a socket. If one of three bulbs in a series circuit is unscrewed from its socket, then it is observed that the other bulbs immediately go out. In order for the devices in a series circuit to work, each device must work. If one goes out, they all go out. Suppose that all the appliances in a household kitchen were all connected in series. In order for the refrigerator to work in that kitchen, the toaster oven, dishwasher, garbage disposal and overhead light would all have to be on. In order for one device in series to work, they all must work. If current is cut from any one of them, it is cut from all of them. Quite obviously, the appliances in the kitchen are not connected in series. Parallel Connections Using the same collection of wires, D-cells and bulbs, parallel circuits can be explored in the same manner. The effect of the number of resistors upon the overall current and the overall resistance can be investigated. The diagrams below depict the usual means of constructing the circuit with parallel connections of light bulbs. One will note that a study of the overall current for parallel connections requires the addition of an indicator bulb. The indicator bulb is placed outside of the branches and allows one to observe the effect of additional resistors upon the overall current. The bulbs that are placed in the parallel branches only provide an indicator of the current through that particular branch. So if investigating the effect of the number of resistors upon the overall current and resistance, one must make careful observations of the indicator bulb, not the bulbs that are placed in the branches. The diagram below depicts the typical observations.It is clear from observing the indicator bulbs in the above diagrams that the addition of more resistors causes the indicator bulb to get brighter. For parallel circuits, as the number of resistors increases, the overall current also increases. This increase in current is consistent with a decrease in overall resistance. Adding more resistors in a separate branch has the unexpected result of decreasing the overall resistance.If an individual bulb in a parallel branch is unscrewed from its socket, then there is still current in the overall circuit and current in the other branches. Removing the third bulb from its socket has the effect of transforming the circuit from a three-bulb parallel circuit to a two-bulb parallel circuit. If the appliances in a household kitchen were connected in parallel, then the refrigerator could function without having to have the dishwasher, toaster, garbage disposal and overhead lights on. One appliance can work without the other appliances having to be on. Since each appliance is in its own separate branch, turning that appliance off merely cuts off the flow of charge to that branch. There will still be charge flowing through the other branches to the other appliances. Quite obviously, the appliances in a home are wired with parallel connections. |