22.2 – Investigating Resistance in Series and Parallel (Leaving Cert Physics): Flashcards

Understand how combining resistors affects total resistance

Resistors connected one after another in single path

$R_{total} = R_1 + R_2 + R_3 + ...$

Sum of all individual resistances

Always greater than any single resistor

Resistors side-by-side, creating multiple current paths

$\frac{1}{R_{total}} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} + ...$

Always less than smallest individual resistor

Multiple paths reduce opposition to current flow

Calculate parallel sections first, then treat as series

Instrument for measuring resistance

Flows through each resistor in turn