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

To understand how combining resistors affects total resistance

Ohmmeter

One after another in a single path

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

Always greater than any single resistor

They create multiple paths for current

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

Less than the smallest resistor

Multiple paths reduce opposition to flow

Calculate parallel sections first

Measure individual resistor values

Through each resistor in turn