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Chapter 12
DC circuits
Worksheet
Worked examples
Practical: Resistors in series and parallel
End-of-chapter test
Marking scheme: Worksheet
Marking scheme: End-of-chapter test

Worksheet
Intermediate level
1

Two resistors are connected in series to a d.c. supply. The current drawn from the
supply is 2.0 A. What is the current in each resistor?
[1]

Two identical resistors are connected in parallel. Each resistor has a resistance R.
Determine the total resistance of the combination in terms of R.
[2]

Calculate the total resistance of each circuit below.

a

10

30

10

[1]

10

10

10

30

[2]

[2]

In the electrical circuit shown here, the

battery has e.m.f. 6.0 V and may be assumed to
have negligible internal resistance.

6.0 V

Calculate:
a

the total resistance of the circuit;

[1]

the current in each resistor;

[2]

the potential difference across the

220 resistor.

[2]

100

220

1.5 V

Higher level
5

In the parallel circuit shown here, the cell has e.m.f. 1.5 V and
may be assumed to have negligible internal resistance.

A
68

Calculate:

the total resistance of the circuit;

[2]

the current shown by the ammeter.

[2]

120

The diagram shows a number of identical resistors, each of resistance R, connected

between points A and B.
R

R
A

Determine the total resistance between A and B in terms of R.

12 DC circuits

[3]

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7 Semiconductor diodes are easily

damaged if the current in them is too
large. To protect a diode from accidental
damage, it must have a safety resistor
connected in series. The diagram shows
a circuit in which a diode is protected
by a resistor of resistance 100 .

100
9.0 V

0.65 V

diode

The battery has negligible internal

resistance. Calculate:
a

the potential difference across the resistor;

[2]

the current in the diode;

[2]

the rate of energy supplied by the battery.

[2]

8 Six identical lamps are connected in parallel. The power dissipated by each lamp
is 60 W and the total current drawn from the supply is 1.57 A. Calculate:
a

the potential difference across each lamp;

[3]

the resistance of each lamp.

[2]

Extension
9 The resistance value of a cheap fixed resistor is often known to an accuracy or
tolerance of 10%. Two resistors of resistances 22 and 10 , each having a
tolerance of 10%, are connected in series to a 12 V d.c. supply of negligible
internal resistance.

What are the possible maximum and minimum values of the current drawn
from the supply?

[4]

10 In circuit calculations, we often assume that a voltmeter has an infinite

resistance. In practice, however, this is not the case. Voltmeters have a finite
but high value of resistance.

100 k

6.0 V

500 k

220 k

A student connects up the circuit shown below.

Calculate the reading expected by the student, who presumes that the voltmeter
has an infinite resistance. What is the actual reading on the voltmeter, given
that it has a resistance of 220 k? What effect does the voltmeter have on
the circuit?
[5]
Total: Score:
40

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12 DC circuits

Worked examples
Example 1
In the circuit shown, calculate the total resistance between A and B.
10
A

40

20

30

The resistors of resistances 40 , 30 and 20 are connected in series. Their total

resistance is:
R = R1 + R2 + R3
R = 40 + 30 + 20 = 90
This total series resistance of 90 is in a parallel combination with the 10 resistance.
Hence:
R=

R1R2
R1 + R2

R=

90 10
= 9.0
90 + 10

where now R1 = 90

and

R2 = 10

For a parallel combination,

the total resistance is always
going to be less than the
smallest resistance value.

The total resistance between A and B is 9.0 .

Tip
Remember that the equation
R=

R1R2
R1 + R2

can only be used for two resistors in parallel. You can also use the reciprocal formula:
1 1 1
= + + ...
R R1 R2
In our case, we have:
1 1
1 100
=
+
=
R 90 10 900

so

R=

900
= 9.0
100

The most common error in examinations is failing to take the reciprocal in the last
stage of the calculation. As another alternative, you can always use the x 1 button
on your calculator to get the answer quickly. Hence:
R = (901 + 101)1 = 9.0

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Example 2
The points A and B of the circuit in example 1 are connected to a supply of e.m.f. 5.0 V.
The supply has negligible internal resistance. Calculate the currents in the 10 and
30 resistors.
The p.d. across the 10 is 5.0 V. Hence:
I=

V 5.0
=
= 0.50 A
R 10

The current in the 40 , 30 and 20 resistors is the same because they are connected
in series. The total p.d. across them is 5.0 V. Hence, the current in the 30 resistor is:
I=

V 5.0
=
5.6 102 A
R 90

Remember to use the total resistance

of 90 here and not 30 .

Tip
You can always quickly redraw the circuit so that you can visualise the series and
parallel sections of the circuit.
+

5.0 V

10

40

30

20

series

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12 DC circuits

Practical
Resistors in series and parallel
Safety
There are not likely to be any major hazards in carrying out this experiment. However,
teachers and technicians should always refer to the departmental risk assessment before
carrying out any practical work.

Apparatus
digital multimeter (with resistance facility)
various resistors or resistance substitution box

Introduction
This experiment is based on the information given on pages 102 and 103 of Physics 1. You
will be connecting up series and parallel circuits, predicting the total resistance of the
combination and confirming experimentally whether or not your predictions were correct.

Procedure
Set up the experiments as shown below. You do not need to use an external supply. A
digital multimeter, set on the resistance setting, will instantly measure the total
resistance between its two leads.
series

parallel
R1
R2

R1

R2

multimeter as an ohmmeter

1
2

Measure the resistance of each resistor accurately using the multimeter.

RR
Apply the series rule (R = R1 + R2 + ... ) or the parallel rule (R = 1 2 ) to predict the
R1 + R2
total resistance.

4
5

Measure the total resistance by using the multimeter. How good is your prediction?

Set up a circuit with your choice of resistors.

Repeat this process for a range of resistors. Record your results as shown below.

Series
R1 ()

Parallel
R2 ()

R = R1 + R2 ()
(theoretical)

R ()
(measured)

R1 ()

R2 ()

R1R2
()
R1 + R2
(theoretical)
R=

R ()
(measured)

Now connect the resistors in more complex combinations. Predict the resistance
before you measure it.

Guidance for teachers

Measuring the individual resistance values with the multimeter improves the accuracy
of the results. Agreement between theory and experiment can be well within 1%. The
experiments also work better with resistances in the range 100 to 100 k.
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End-of-chapter test
Answer all questions.

Two resistors are soldered together in parallel and then connected to a battery of
e.m.f. 3.0 V. The battery has negligible internal resistance. The resistance of each
resistor is 68 .
a

Draw a diagram for this circuit.

Calculate:

[2]

the total resistance of the circuit;

[2]

ii

the current drawn from the battery.

[2]

Calculate the total resistance of the following circuit.

[3]

100

10
60
20

The diagram shows an electrical circuit.

a

What is the total resistance between X and

Y when both switches are open? Explain
why this is so.
[1]

Determine the total resistance between X

and Y when:
i
ii

100

switch S2 is open and switch S1

is closed;

[1]

both switches S1 and S2 are closed.

[3]

S2

S1

220

120

The diagram below shows a length of wire of unknown resistance R connected in

a circuit.
6.0 V
A

20

The battery of e.m.f. 6.0 V has negligible internal resistance. The ammeter shows a
current of 1.2 A. Calculate the resistance R of the wire.
[3]
Total: Score:
17

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12 DC circuits

Marking scheme
Worksheet
1

The same and equal to 2.0 A. [1]

R=

R1R2
R1 + R2

R=

R2 R
=
2R 2

R = R1 + R2 = 10 + 30 = 40 [1]

R=

Resistance of the parallel section: R =

and

R1 = R2 = R [1]

The total resistance is half that of one of the resistors. [1]

R1R2
[1];
R1 + R2

R=

10 30
= 7.5 [1]
10 + 30
10 10
= 5.0 [1]
10 + 10

Combining with the 10 resistance in series: R = R1 + R2 = 10 + 5.0 = 15 [1]

R = R1 + R2 = 100 + 220 = 320 [1]

I=

V = IR = 1.875 102 220 [1];

R=

I=

Rtotal

Rtotal =

R1R2
68 120
=
[1];
R1 + R2 68 + 120

V 1.5
=
[1];
R 43.4

V = 4.13 V 4.1 V [1]

( I = same)

R = 43.4 43 [1]

I = 3.46 102 A 3.5 102 A ( 35 mA) [1]

1+2+2 5
=
[1]
2R
2R
2R
[1]
5

9.0 = 0.65 + V [1];

Current in diode = current in resistor [1]

I=

I = 1.88 102 A 1.9 102 A [1]

1
1 1
1
=
+
+
[1]
Rtotal 2R R R
1

V 6.0
=
[1];
R 320

V = 8.35 V [1]

V 8.35
=
= 8.35 102 A [1]
R 100

P = VI = 9.0 8.35 102 [1];

Current in each lamp =

P = VI

so

V 230
R= =
[1];
I 0.262

12 DC circuits

P = 0.75 W [1]

1.57
= 0.262 A [1]
6

P
60
V= =
[1];
I 0.262

V = 230 V [1]

R 880 [1]

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Maximum resistance, Rmax = 1.1 (22 +10) = 35.2 [1]

Minimum resistance, Rmin = 0.9 (22 +10) = 28.8 [1]
Imin =
Imax =

V
Rmax

12
= 0.341 A [1]
35.2

V
12
=
= 0.417 A [1]
Rmin 28.8

The current can be any value between 0.34 A and 0.42 A.

10 Voltmeter has infinite resistance:

I=

6.0
= 1.0 105 A [1]
(100 + 500) 103

V = IR = 1.0 105 500 103 = 5.0 V [1]

The student would expect a reading of 5.0 V.
Voltmeter has resistance of 220 k:
R=

220 500
= 153 k [1]
220 + 500

The resistance of the parallel combination is 153 k.

I=

6.0
= 2.37 105 A [1]
(100 + 153) 103

V = IR = 2.37 105 153 103 = 3.63 V 3.6 V [1]

The actual reading on the voltmeter is 3.6 V. In practice, voltmeters load circuits
and give a reading less than the expected value.

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12 DC circuits

Marking scheme
End-of-chapter test
1

Correct circuit [1]; correct symbols [1]

3.0 V

68

68

68 68
= 34 [1]
68 + 68

R=

R1R2
[1];
R1 + R2

R=

ii

I=

V 3.0
=
[1];
R 34

I = 8.8 102 A [1]

Rseries = 10 + 20 = 30 [1]
Rparallel =

R1R2 30 60
=
= 20 [1]
R1 + R2 30 + 60

Rtotal = 100 + 20 = 120 [1]

The circuit is open, hence the total resistance is infinite. [1]

R = R1 + R2 = 100 + 220 = 320 [1]

ii

Rparallel =

220 120
[1];
220 + 120

Rparallel = 77.65 78 [1]

R = R1 + R2 = 100 + 78 = 178 [1]

Rtotal =

V 6.0
=
= 5.0 [1]
I 1.2

Rtotal =

R1R2
R1 + R2

5(20 + R) = 20R

therefore
so

5.0 =

20R
[1]
20 + R

100 = 15R

R = 6.7 [1]

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