A parallel circuit is a type of electrical circuit where the components are connected to each other in a way that allows current to flow through multiple paths. In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each component is the same, but the current can vary.
A series circuit is a type of electrical circuit where the components are connected in a single loop or path, so the current flows through each component in succession. In a series circuit, the current is the same throughout the entire circuit, but the voltage can vary.
The main difference between a parallel and series circuit is the way the components are connected. In a parallel circuit, the components are connected in parallel, whereas in a series circuit, they are connected in series. This results in different properties, such as the voltage and current, being the same or varying in each circuit.
A capacitor is an electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field. It is made up of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric. When a voltage is applied, one plate becomes positively charged and the other becomes negatively charged, creating an electric field between them.
In a parallel circuit, capacitors add together, meaning the total capacitance is the sum of the individual capacitances. In a series circuit, capacitors have the opposite effect and decrease the total capacitance. This is because the capacitors are connected in a way that reduces the overall voltage across them, resulting in a decrease in the amount of charge that can be stored.
