Question

What are two different ways that resistors can be connected together in a circuit? Explain the difference between the two in terms of calculating equivalent resistance.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Resistors in circuits can either be connected in series or in parallel.

For a series connected resistors, the same current flows through the resistors while different voltages is passed across them. The formula for calculating effective resistances in a circuit is expressed as

`R_T = R_1+R_2+R_3...+R_n` where R1, R2, R3 etc. are the resistances connected in series.

The effective resistances for series connected resistors is the sum of the individual resistors

For a parallel connected resistors, different current flows through the resistors while same voltage is passed across them. The formula for calculating effective resistances in a circuit is expressed as:

`(1)/(R_T) = (1)/(R_1) +(1)/(R_2) +(1)/(R_3) +...(1)/(R_n)`

The effective resistances for parallel connected resistors is the sum of the reciprocal of the individual resistors