Series and parallel circuits (4.3.2) | Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Physics 0972 (Extended) (2026–2028)

4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits

Core	Supplement
$1 Know that the current at every point in a series circuit is the same 2 Know how to construct and use series and parallel circuits 3 Calculate the combined e.m.f. of several sources in series 4 Calculate the combined resistance of two or more resistors in series 5 State that, for a parallel circuit, the current from the source is larger than the current in each branch 6 State that the combined resistance of two resistors in parallel is less than that of either resistor by itself 7 State the advantages of connecting lamps in parallel in a lighting circuit$	$8 Recall and use in calculations, the fact that: (a) the sum of the currents entering a junction in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the currents that leave the junction (b) the total p.d. across the components in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual p.d.s across each component (c) the p.d. across an arrangement of parallel resistances is the same as the p.d. across one branch in the arrangement of the parallel resistances 9 Explain that the sum of the currents into a junction is the same as the sum of the currents out of the junction 10 Calculate the combined resistance of two resistors in parallel$

Core

Supplement

1 Know that the current at every point in a series circuit is the same 2 Know how to construct and use series and parallel circuits 3 Calculate the combined e.m.f. of several sources in series 4 Calculate the combined resistance of two or more resistors in series 5 State that, for a parallel circuit, the current from the source is larger than the current in each branch 6 State that the combined resistance of two resistors in parallel is less than that of either resistor by itself 7 State the advantages of connecting lamps in parallel in a lighting circuit

8 Recall and use in calculations, the fact that: (a) the sum of the currents entering a junction in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the currents that leave the junction (b) the total p.d. across the components in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual p.d.s across each component (c) the p.d. across an arrangement of parallel resistances is the same as the p.d. across one branch in the arrangement of the parallel resistances 9 Explain that the sum of the currents into a junction is the same as the sum of the currents out of the junction 10 Calculate the combined resistance of two resistors in parallel

Series and parallel circuits