Final answer:
In a series circuit, the current flows in a single pathway. In a parallel circuit, the current splits into multiple pathways. A complex circuit is a combination of series and parallel circuits.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a series circuit, the current flows through each component in a single pathway. This means that the current is the same at all points in the circuit. Imagine a series circuit as a single line of people holding hands. The current is like the people passing a ball along the line.
In a parallel circuit, the current splits into multiple pathways. Each component in a parallel circuit has its own pathway for current flow. Imagine a parallel circuit as multiple lines of people holding hands. The current is like the people passing a ball along each line.
In a complex circuit, which is a combination of series and parallel circuits, the current flows through different pathways depending on the arrangement of the components. The total current entering a junction or branching point in a complex circuit must be equal to the total current leaving that point, according to Kirchhoff's junction rule.