Answers to AQA GCSE Parallel Circuits

Practice Questions


1.In the circuit below calculate the value for the potential difference across both the cell and one of the bulbs.

In a parallel circuit, potential difference is the same across each component. So, the potential difference will be 2V across the cell and 2V across the bottom bulb.

2. Calculate the missing value for current for the ammeters in the circuit below. Assume that  all bulbs are identical.

The 16A current splits at the junction on the left of the circuit, so that 8A will go through each bulb, these current then rejoin at the junction on the right hand side of the circuit to reform the 16A current.
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3. A parallel circuit contains 3 resistors, wired in parallel 10 ohm, 5 ohm and 4 ohm resistor. State the value for the total resistance of the circuit.

In a parallel circuit, total resistance is less than the value for the resistor with the least value. So, in this case the total resistance is less than 4 ohms.